An woman has reportedly died after suffering a fall in a popular rock climbing area near Malaga in southern Spain. The victim, believed to aged around 21, was killed after plunging around 500ft. Her body was rescued by emergency services after the alarm was raised just after 7pm yesterday. Local media initially published conflicting reports about the woman's nationality - but she is believed to be either Irish or British.
A male friend she was with miraculously cheated death by grabbing onto a bush-covered rock that was jutting out from the rest as he fell alongside his climbing companion. He was said to have been in a state of shock when he was rescued alive. Yesterday evening’s drama occurred near to the village of El Chorro close to the famous Caminito del Rey pathway. The spot the climbers were in is called the Swiss Sector next to a hiking area called the Arabic Staircase.
The unnamed mountaineers are understood to have spent the day practicing sport and are thought to have suffered their accident as they made their descent after taking the wrong route by mistake. The survivor has told police they lost their balance and went over the side of a ravine.
Local press initially reported the woman was of British origin, but she has since been described as a 21-year-old Irish national. Police have not officially confirmed her nationality. No information has been given out about where the survivor is from. The nationality of the man who died has not yet been revealed.
The Civil Guard, the police force investigating the incident, has yet to make any official comment but is expected to do so over the course of the weekend. A well-placed source close to the ongoing probe confirmed local reports about the woman’s nationality by saying his information was also that she was “of British origin.”.
