Identical twin brothers, 11, drown in Spanish river after they left home to play football and failed to return

By JADA BAS, REPORTER and NATALIE PENZA Published: 20:21, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 20:21, 14 July 2026 Twin brothers have drowned in a Spanish river after they went missing when they left home to play football. The bodies of the identical brothers, 11, were found on Tuesday in the Ter River in Manlleu, near Barcelona following a rescue operation involving drones and divers. Police found the twins' clothes on the river bank two hours before finding them and fingerprinting will confirm their identities. The pair's father alerted authorities on Monday night after they left home in the afternoon and failed to return for dinner at 9pm. One of the boys was found around 1pm and the second brother an hour later nearby. Police have launched an investigation and autopsies are expected to confirm they drowned after getting into difficulties in the water. The brothers did not know how to swim well but entered the water to cool off after playing, according to local reports.  Town hall officials in Manlleu where the brothers lived have decreed two days of mourning. The bodies of the identical brothers, 11, were found on Tuesday in the Ter River in Manlleu, near Barcelona following a rescue operation involving drones and divers The local council said in a post on social media: 'We express our most sincere condolences for the tragic loss of two boys in the Ter River. 'We wish to provide support to their family, friends and the affected community for this irreparable loss. 'For that end, we place ourselves at the family's disposition for everything they may need.' It added: 'We are decreeing two days of official mourning, during which time flags will fly at half mast as a sign of respect and remembrance for the children. 'A minute's silence will be held tomorrow at 8pm in front of the town hall.'