Andorra Police Search Mountains for Missing Massana Hiker
Authorities are combing mountain trails in Massana and Ordino after a middle-aged local's abrupt exit from home. He knows the terrain well, and officials expect he may return independently. Privacy is prioritized unless risks rise.
Key Points
- Police recovered 47-year-old Eduard's body 20-30m from Aldosa trail start near fire station and construction site.
- Search involved 70 personnel including police, firefighters, Red Cross; signs indicate suicide, no foul play suspected.
- Eduard, last seen Saturday midday in blue trousers and red polo, familiar with trails; autopsy set for Thursday.
- Incident follows recent death of another customs officer Gabriel Ubach.
Police in Andorra have recovered the body of 47-year-old Eduard, a customs official from Ordino, from dense vegetation at the start of the path leading to Aldosa in La Massana. The find, made around midday on Wednesday, concluded an extensive search launched after his disappearance was reported last Saturday night.
The body was located 20 to 30 metres from the beginning of the stone trail, close to a construction site and the local fire station. A witness in the area at the time described seeing emergency teams arrive shortly after passing the same spot earlier that day, when search dogs from the fire service were still active nearby. Workers from the adjacent building site also observed the response. The mayor later attended to oversee recovery efforts.
Clear signs at the scene pointed to suicide. The operation involved around 70 personnel, including police, firefighters, Red Cross volunteers, customs staff and border guards. Tuesday's efforts had concentrated on the Anyós area, with teams using dogs, foot patrols and systematic sweeps to cover ground despite challenging conditions.
An autopsy, expected on Thursday, will confirm the time of death. Cellphone data from an Andorra Telecom repeater had guided searches across La Massana and Ordino peripheries, including Cortals d'Anyós, Oriosos and La Gonarda following a public tip.
Eduard, 1.76 metres tall with 22 years in customs after prior police service, was last seen Saturday midday wearing blue trousers, a red short-sleeved polo shirt, white trainers and carrying a dark backpack. He was familiar with local trails. No foul play is suspected, and authorities have withheld further details out of respect for his family, who noted no contact since Saturday.
The loss has stunned colleagues, following the recent death of another customs officer, Gabriel Ubach. The public was asked to contact 110 with any information.
In a separate incident on Monday, firefighters airlifted a woman with an ankle injury from Montmalús to Nostra Senyora de Meritxell hospital.
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