In the area between Àger and Vilanova de Meià (Lleida) a body was found on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Earlier, a helicopter belonging to the Mossos d'Esquadra on cinglón de la Grallera had spotted paragliding equipment from the air. Specialist officers from the Bombers de la Generalitat then reached the site and located the lifeless body. The Mossos have taken charge of identifying the person and of the further investigation and judicial procedures. On Tuesday afternoon, there was still no official confirmation of the deceased person’s identity.
The operation was part of the search for a 50-year-old Belgian paraglider pilot who had been missing since Saturday. According to the emergency services, the man’s relatives reported late on Saturday evening that he had not returned; the pilot was staying at a campsite in Àger and had left the site with his equipment on Saturday. The Bombers began a search on foot that night and gathered information from witnesses. On Sunday, teams continued the coordinated search on the ground and from the air. Around midday on Tuesday, a Mossos police crew spotted a paraglider wing near the cliff; the GRAE mountain rescue team then entered the hard-to-reach area and found the body. The authorities stressed that the identity would be confirmed only after formal checks.
The Montsec near Àger is a well-established launch site for paragliding; thermal conditions can change rapidly, and parts of the terrain are difficult to access. According to the emergency crews, the topography hampered the search, which continued for several days across the extensive area of the comarca of La Noguera Teams from the Bombers de la Generalitat, the GRAE specialist unit and air support from the Mossos d'Esquadra took part.
The authorities initially gave no details about the cause of death. Statements about the person’s identity, nationality and how the accident happened are being withheld until formal confirmation. According to the authorities, investigators are focusing on reconstructing the flight path, weather conditions and possible technical factors. They will report further findings after identification is complete and the initial forensic examinations have been carried out. The incident once again highlights the risks of flying in mountainous terrain and the importance of closely observing weather windows and safety requirements.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).