Teenager missing in Danube, friends watched; divers and helicopter search

An intensive search is underway for a 15-year-old boy who disappeared in the Danube River while swimming with friends. The rescue operation has rapidly mobilized significant resources, including divers, police units from Dolj County, border guards with boats, and a SMURD helicopter scanning the area.

Initial reports suggest the teenager entered the water in a section of the river notorious for its powerful currents. His friends noticed he had not resurfaced and immediately alerted the authorities. Police units responded quickly, and specialized teams took over the operation. Divers are conducting underwater searches, while border patrol boats are covering a wide area of the river's surface. The helicopter provides aerial surveillance, searching for any clues that might guide the rescue teams.

The boy's family has been informed and is present at the scene, holding onto hope for a miracle. As of now, there are no indications of the boy's whereabouts, and the search continues without interruption. The Danube's strong currents and variable depths, ranging from 5 to 9 meters, make such rescue missions extremely challenging.

This incident follows a recent tragedy where an 18-year-old was found dead in the Danube after a high school graduation trip. In 2019, a 10-year-old girl also went missing in the river near Brăila, and her body was found after three days of searching by divers and firefighters.