A major device was put in place on Monday, off the coast of Palavas-les-Flots (Hérault), near Montpellier, to try to find a swimmer reported missing, the department’s firefighters said. Divers, sea rescuers from the SNSM, and a helicopter were mobilized for this operation, which lasted several hours.
Cross-Med, the regional operational surveillance and rescue center, responsible for maritime searches, finally ordered the operation to be stopped at the end of the day. The victim, a 26-year-old man, had not been found. The strong swell and current made the search difficult, firefighters said. The victim’s partner was treated and transported to Montpellier hospital.