Not even by zodiac: the UME could only reach the isolated core of Casares by diving

Since 1:30 PM on Wednesday, when the Civil Guard closed the A-2102, only the Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been able to enter El Secadero, which has flooded roads and is completely surrounded by the Guadiaro River after it overflowed. This happened last night, but the military could not proceed in the Zodiac boat they were traveling in. "The current in the Guadiaro River was so strong that at one point they had to abandon it and they arrived by diving, submerged in water," explains Juan Luis Villalón, mayor of Casares and resident of this area. Villalón and other members of his government team were able to hold an operational meeting with the UME divers to analyze the situation.

The mayor of Casares is certain that currently, the arrival of aid or an evacuation could only be carried out by air. The Provincial Fire Consortium of Málaga has reported that it has an aquatic rescue team in Estepona that could reach El Secadero in 15 minutes, but the experience of the UME is not promising. In any case, "we have not seen them," says the mayor.

Currently, members of the Civil Guard's Special Group of Underwater Activities (GEAS) equipped with a Zodiac are trying to transport a team of Endesa technicians to El Secadero to attempt to restore the electrical supply, which is currently a priority along with the recovery of telecommunications. The deputy mayor, Antonia Pineda, and the chief of the Local Police of Casares have traveled to the 'Iron Bridge' in San Enrique de Guadiaro, where the A-2102 remains closed. "There, they are assessing with the Civil Guard and the GEAS members whether conditions are optimal for the boat to pass," the City Council has reported. Additionally, a command post has been set up in Casares Costa, "to act in the face of possible emergencies."

The plenary session that was being held this morning at the Manilva City Council was interrupted by a call received by the mayor of the town, Mario Jiménez, from Civil Protection of Málaga, requesting that volunteers from the Manilva group go to help El Secadero and San Martín del Tesorillo, the town of Cádiz located less than a kilometer from the population center of Casares, which is also cut off due to the extraordinary rise of the Guadiaro, without specifying how this help could arrive.