The National Police of Peru (PNP) found the body of the rescue non-commissioned officer Patrick Hiroshi Ospinawho disappeared on Friday after entering the mighty waters of the Rímac River, at the height of the historic center of Lima, to try to save a trapped dog in the area, in a case that has caused great shock among citizens.
The PNP indicated on the social network X that Ospina’s lifeless body was found near the Callao Naval Base «after an arduous and tireless search.»
«Today we say goodbye to a brave man who, true to his vocation of service, did not hesitate to jump into the Rímac River to try to rescue a little dog dragged by the flow. «His act reflects the spirit of solidarity and commitment that distinguishes our police officers,» he said.
The Police extended their «deepest condolences» to the family, friends and «brothers in arms» of the non-commissioned officer «in this moment of deep pain.»
A heroic volunteer firefighter
Ospina, who in addition to being a police officer was a volunteer firefighter, was swept away by the waters even though he had all the safety elements and search and rescue tasks were immediately undertaken, which included specialized teams, cranes and drones to follow the riverbed of the Rímac towards its mouth in the port of Callao.
The General Corps of Volunteer Firefighters of Peru (CGBVP) reported that the non-commissioned officer tried to rescue the dog that was trapped in a mound located in the middle of the Rímac River, but was «affected by the force of the current.»
The death of the rescuer is added to that of at least two more people due to the intense rains that have fallen in recent hours in different parts of the country, which have caused landslides and floods due to the overflowing of rivers and dry ravines, known as torrenteras.
The two fatalities were reported in the southern Andean region of Arequipa, the most affected so far by these weather events, according to reports from the National Emergency Operations Center (COEN).
Since Thursday, intense rains, accompanied by hailstorms and thunderstorms, have been recorded in the Andean zone of the country, which led to landslides with strong currents of water that flooded houses and swept away cars.
The National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology (Senamhi) has indicated that during the weekend rainfall will continue in the Andean mountains of moderate to strong intensity, accompanied by electric shocks and gusts of wind.
Heavy rain has also been announced in the districts far from the coast of Piura and Tumbes, regions of the northern coast of the country bordering Ecuador.
EFE Agency.
GML
