Toddler missing after giant wave sweeps family out to sea

RESCUE TEAMS are scouring an area of the northern Spanish Asturian coast to find the body of a 20-month-old child who went missing February 8, while walking on the beach with his father and grandfather. 

The boy was apparently being carried by his granddad along Frejulfe beach in Navia when the freak wave hit all three family members, dragging them out to sea. 

Sadly, when the two men emerged from the stormy waters, the boy was nowhere to be seen. Reports confirm that his father insisted on going back into the sea “at least twice” to look for his young son, but to no avail. 

Spanish police and coastguard gave a rapid response and proceeded to search the area for the remainder of the day, before resuming the operation the following day with the assistance of three helicopters and a coast guard boat. 

Items of the toddlers clothing are reported to have since washed up on the beach, making tough work for emergency service personnel who could spot the victim more easily by the colour of his clothes. 

The young boy´s father is being treated for severe shock at Jarrio Hospital in the Coana municipality. His mother, who was not present at the time of her son´s disappearance, was given the heart-breaking news by the grandfather and Guardia Civil officers. 

Commenting on the missing boy, Navia´s mayor, Ignacio Garcia Palacios said “He escaped from their hands in a tragic accident”.