A five-year-old boy who went missing in Formentera on Saturday evening has been found safe, bringing an end to a large search operation that brought together emergency services, security forces and around 250 volunteers.

The child, named Pedro, disappeared in the Porto-salè area at around 19:30 on October 3. About an hour later, at approximately 20:30, a general call was made for members of the public to help with the search.

Around 250 Volunteers Join the Search

The response from the Formentera community was immediate.

Around 250 volunteers went to the command post established in Porto-salè, where they received instructions and were organised into small search groups.

The volunteers, many carrying torches, searched roads, paths and surrounding areas according to sections established by the Guardia Civil. They checked potential hiding places including small structures, areas covered by tarpaulins and other locations where the child might have been.

The search operation involved members of the Local Police, Fire Service, Civil Protection and Guardia Civil. Drones were also used during the operation.

Child Found Safe at Home

The search came to an end when a family member located Pedro hiding inside his own home.

The boy was found in good condition, and the discovery brought the operation to an immediate close.

Reports differ slightly over the precise place where the child was hiding. One local report stated that he was underneath his bed, while Ràdio Illa reported more generally that he was hiding inside his home. The latter wording is used here because it is the more consistently supported detail.

Emergency Services Mobilised

The operation had been prepared to continue into Sunday if necessary.

The Guardia Civil's Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group (GREIM) had been alerted and was prepared to join the search with additional resources, including a helicopter, specialist dogs and thermal cameras operated from drones. Those additional resources were no longer required after the child was located.

The response also brought local officials to the command post. Formentera Council president Óscar Portas and members of the island's government team were present during the search.

Search Ends With the Child Safe

The disappearance prompted a major mobilisation across Formentera during several hours on Saturday evening.

The coordinated response involving emergency services, police, volunteers and members of the public ended successfully when Pedro was located safe inside his home.

No further details about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have been publicly established in the reports reviewed.