Italian authorities end search for missing Spanish businessman

Italian authorities have officially ended the search operation for Juan José Mutilba Obregón, a 66-year-old Spanish businessman who has been missing in the Ionian Sea since August 18. The search was conducted in the waters off Pylos after Mutilba fell overboard from his sailing vessel.

Mutilba, a former IT executive, was traveling from Syracuse, Sicily, to Pylos with his wife, Carmen. On the morning of August 18, while attempting to clean a tuna on deck, he reportedly slipped and fell into the sea approximately 150 nautical miles from the coast. His wife was unable to stop the engine in time, and the vessel continued to move away from the site where he fell.

Carmen was found alone on the drifting boat. She reported being in a state of shock and noted that a lack of mobile signal prevented her from contacting emergency services for approximately three days. A friend raised the alarm after noticing the boat was off its intended course.

The family is now seeking assistance from Spanish authorities to potentially continue search efforts for a few more days.