A major search operation was launched in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, on Saturday morning after a 10-year-old boy disappeared while swimming in the sea with his father near the Hotel Timanfaya Playa in the popular tourist resort.

According to the Lanzarote Emergency and Security Consortium, firefighters were alerted by the Canary Islands emergency coordination centre (CECOES) and immediately headed to the area.

The boy’s father told responders that they had been swimming together before he left his son on the shore to rejoin other family members. Shortly afterwards, the child disappeared.

Firefighters, Local Police officers and several relatives then carried out a search along the coastline in an attempt to locate the boy.

Child later found safe

After concerns grew during the search, Local Police later confirmed that the child had been found safe and well.

The boy reportedly told officers that he became lost while trying to find his relatives and eventually approached an adult for help.

The adult then accompanied him to the Local Police headquarters, where he was reunited with his family.

Fortunately, the incident ended without injury, although it caused a significant scare for both relatives and emergency services.