Natural environment rescues in Catalonia increase by 13%

Rescue operations in natural environments in Catalonia have seen a 13% increase between January and August 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. According to data from the Bombers de la Generalitat, 1,415 interventions were carried out, up from 1,252 the previous year.

Mountain rescues remain the most frequent type of intervention, accounting for one-third of the total. Other notable increases include river rescues, which rose by 18.9%, and maritime rescues, which grew by 13.8%. Officials noted that heavy snow during the winter season led to a surge in mountain skiers, creating a more constant demand for emergency services throughout the year rather than just during specific months.

Geographically, the Girona region recorded the highest number of interventions with 418 cases, followed by Lleida and the Metropolitan North. Within Girona, the Ripollès county led with 114 rescues.

In the Balearic Islands, the Search and Rescue (SAR) service at the Son Sant Joan Air Base continues to operate with 150 personnel and six helicopters. The unit provides essential services for maritime and land rescues, as well as locating crashed aircraft. Plans are in place to transition to more modern NH 90 aircraft by 2030.