Cártama, Spain – Torrential rains have battered Málaga, causing the Guadalhorce River to burst its banks and trap several animals in Cártama. Guardia Civil officers raced against time to save them in a dramatic rescue mission.

The relentless downpours in recent hours sparked a rapid overflow of the Guadalhorce, leaving flooded areas and triggering emergency rescues. In Cártama, Guardia Civil agents braved treacherous conditions to pluck animals stranded on the riverbanks to safety.

Images from the scene show officers risking their lives to reach the animals, who were battling to survive on waterlogged ground. It was a desperate race against rising floodwaters.

Since early morning, the surging Guadalhorce had threatened homes and infrastructure in the town. Among the victims were people and animals trapped near the river, where water levels topped a metre.

The Guardia Civil’s specialist underwater team, GEAS, joined forces with other units for an urgent operation. Using boats and protective gear, they navigated flooded zones, guided by the distressed cries of terrified, disoriented animals.

The rescues weren’t easy. High water and strong currents made evacuation tough. Some animals, in shock and defensive, lashed out in panic, raising tensions as officers tried to calm them and avoid bites or injuries.

Beyond the animals, the Guardia Civil also saved people across Cártama. In Molino Carvajal, one person, cut off in their home by the rising river, was rescued in a separate daring operation.

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