Four-year-old autistic girl found wandering alone in heavy rain on Spanish coast

The local Costa Blanca police have found a four-year-old girl with autism, wandering lost in the rain on a public street. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, October 4, during a heavy downpour of rain that swept San Miguel de Salinas. The young girl, who was reportedly disoriented, was wearing nappies and wandering alone.

Four-year-old girl found alone in rain: Police immediately take child to safety

After officers, who had been working on the afternoon shift, found the young child, they notified the Spanish National Police, as there was no one around to take care of her. Safety officials took her to a nearby health centre for examination. There, medical professionals treated her and determined that she had autism spectrum disorder.

The girl was handed over to her parents, who had been looking for her, resulting in a family reunion and a happy ending to what was initially a dangerous situation.

Spain drenched under bouts of torrential rains at the beginning of October

The incident occurred in the midst of a heavy bout of rain sweeping across the Costa Blanca, with the downpour, described as “intense”, adding additional risk. Low visibility on the roads, the risk of flooding and cold weather could all have posed a serious danger to the four-year-old.

However, the Costa Blanca is not the only area in Spain having been affected by heavy rain at the beginning of October. Storms and torrential rainfall have been observed in many parts of the country, and are set to continue during autumn, with the most affected areas including the Cantabrian coast, the northeast and southeast of the country, and the Canary Islands.

As of Wednesday, October 7, several yellow warnings are in force in many parts of Spain, including eastern Andalucia, Murcia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Aragon and Catalonia.

Girl safely reunited with her family, but residents and visitors are warned

In the light of this heavy rainfall, the case also highlights the importance of quick action when vulnerable children and other individuals are found alone in public spaces. Thanks to the intervention of the local police, Spanish National Police and healthcare professionals, what was initially a potentially dangerous situation ultimately ended with the child safely reunited with her family.