A local resident discovered the lifeless body of a 64-year-old English pilgrim in the Robo River close to Puente la Reina-Gares on Friday morning, May 22. Police Foral officers, the police force of Navarra, rushed to the spot after receiving the alert at 9.30am.

Location and circumstances of the fall

Investigators suspect the man attempted to cross a ramshackle wooden bridge constructed from logs and pallets. This unofficial crossing is said to sit around two to three metres above the water level and serves local people accessing allotment plots. Reports indicate the structure does not form part of any official Camino de Santiago path. Registration details confirm the pilgrim was booked in as a registered guest at Hotel Albergue Jakue and nearby Albergue El Peregrino on Wednesday night. Concerns grew following failure to return for his booked accommodation among those around him.

Emergency services deployment

Firefighters from Navarra joined a duty doctor and an ambulance crew at the riverbank site. Medical staff could only confirm the death upon arrival near the riverbank on the way out of town towards Pamplona.

Police investigation underway

Officers from the regional force continue to examine details of what happened. Judicial authorities are now overseeing the case as standard procedure for such incidents. Everything points to an accidental slip that led to a plunge into the river. A possibility exists that the man struck his head during the fall from the height of the bridge. A local gardener who uses the bridge daily reported no unusual activity the previous day. Discovery occurred when the gardener returned to his plot the following morning and saw the body partially submerged.

Dangers on the pilgrimage

Another pilgrim lost his life on 17 April near Santiago de Compostela. That incident took place in the rúa do Beado area of O Milladoiro after the traveller suffered a sudden illness. Emergency teams from various services attended but could not revive him at the scene.

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Applications opened on May 22 for a new support scheme that helps local businesses hit by major council projects in Benalmadena. This latest round targets shops and hospitality venues around Santo Domingo, Plaza de España, and nearby streets.

Previous support reached 70 businesses

Local leaders built on an earlier initiative that delivered €350,000 to around 70 traders in Avenida Retamar, Avenida Juan Luis Peralta, and the eleven Gamonal streets. Success in that first phase encouraged expansion into additional areas where work is still going on.

Higher grants reflect longer disruption periods

Businesses affected in this second phase qualify for amounts reaching €9,000 each. Extended construction timelines beyond twelve months justify the increased figures. Mayor Juan Antonio Lara stressed the importance of helping companies manage ongoing costs such as rent, utilities, and staff wages during these problematic periods.

Council strategy balances infrastructure needs

Complex improvement works in long-neglected zones form a key part of the current administration’s plans. Officials introduced this pioneering aid programme to reduce economic pressure on local commerce. Support measures aim to keep shops viable while essential urban upgrades proceed.

Who qualifies for the grants?

Commercial operators, service providers, and restaurants open to the public can apply if registered before the call. Both individuals and companies meet criteria, provided they hold current tax clearances with national authorities and the Benalmadena council.

Single application rule ensures fairness

Authorities accept only one submission per person or company. This approach promotes equitable distribution across eligible premises.

How to submit claims before deadline

Interested parties must file requests by June 22 through the official electronic portal of the Benalmadena Town Hall website. Complete documentation including invoices and expense records remains essential for processing. Applicants should prepare evidence of costs directly linked to the construction period.

This fresh aid package demonstrates continued commitment to protecting local economic activity. Traders facing prolonged work now gain valuable financial breathing space to maintain operations and plan ahead. The initiative reinforces Benalmadena’s approach of combining necessary infrastructure development with practical business assistance.

Visitors can now experience the exhibition Un Lugar en el Tiempo at Torremolinos Town Hall. Running from May 29 to June 26, this collection of oil paintings by Jesús Ortiz Armada invites reflection on how places evolve while remaining preserved in personal memory.

Organisers designed the display with a contemplative atmosphere that encourages viewers to pause and connect with scenes from everyday life and the past. Each canvas captures traces, absences, architecture, and recollections tied to specific locations, all rendered through the distinctive brushwork and palette of the artist.

Practical information for visitors

Access to the exhibition will be completely free. Opening hours run Monday to Friday from 9am to 1.30pm. The official opening takes place on Friday, May, at 7pm, offering an opportunity to meet the artist and view the works on the first evening.

Profile of the Malaga painter

Jesús Ortiz Armada was born in the village of El Burgo, Malaga. He studied education sciences in Malaga and later graduated in labour relations in Granada. His professional path has remained firmly rooted in his native region, where he draws inspiration from both impressionist and realist traditions.

Local competitions have recognised his landscape and bullfighting paintings with several awards over the years. Ortiz Armada created his first oil painting at the age of five and pursued art through private lessons while largely developing his skills as a self-taught artist. He later completed studies in applied arts in Granada.

Distinctive realist approach

The artist focuses primarily on Spanish customs in his subjects and demonstrates strong command of realistic techniques. His previous exhibitions have appeared in Malaga, Albacete, Ronda, Torre del Mar, El Burgo, Casarabonela and Tolox. Private collectors in Spain and abroad now hold many of his pieces.

Ortiz Armada excels at creating convincing light and atmosphere in his figure compositions, paying careful attention to both main elements and background details. His canvases deliver a strong sense of reality through balanced colour and gentle tonal transitions.

This exhibition offers residents and visitors to the Costa del Sol a chance to appreciate the work of one of Malaga province’s dedicated realist painters.