Fury over ‘drowning girl’ spotted in river that’s freaking out locals… but is all as it seems?

THERE has been fury over a “drowning girl” spotted in a river that’s freaking out locals in Spain… but is all as it seems? Eerie pics show a giant, pale face of a young girl seemingly peering out from the murky water of the Bilbao‘s River Nervion. ReutersPics have emerged of the ‘drowning girl’ in Spain[/caption] ReutersThe large face of the girl, depicted to be about 11-12 years of age, is bobbing up and down in the Bilbao’s River Nervion[/caption] ReutersBut locals are getting spooked by its sudden appearance in the murky water[/caption] The lifelike face of a young girl drowning in the tide has been unsettling people in Bilbao since it suddenly popped up unannounced last week. With “large and inert eyes, brown hair, damp from the cold water of the estuary and a white complexion that seems to pale, the work emerges to stir whoever looks at it,” reports Horas. Mexican hyperrealist artist Ruben Orozco created the spooky figure, entitled ‘Bihar’ which means ‘Tomorrow’ in Basque. But locals had no idea until it was spotted bobbing up and down near the Zubi Zuri bridge. The lifelike sculpture was moved at dawn with a tugboat that took it from the Port of Bilbao. In a gruesome move it was then submerged so that when the river’s tide went out, it was gradually discovered. Most read in The Sun 'CONCERNED' Katie's family say 'worst fears nearly came true' & star is 'getting help' KATIE ARRESTED Dramatic pic shows how Katie Price ROLLED BMW in 'drug & drink-drive' smash KATIE ARRESTED Katie Price rushed to hospital after dramatic ‘drug and drink-drive’ crash TIKTOK TAKERS Smithy family blasted for buying jetski after fans raised £50k for house fire CAN'T BRALIEVE IT Ex-Primark worker reveals people swapped old smelly BRAS for new ones FIST PUMP Petrol station boss attacked by motorbike thug as panic at the pumps boils over But it has unnerved residents, who have also reported feeling more ‘stressed’ as a consequence. Triana Gil said: “At first it gave me a feeling of stress, when more of the face was out of the water, but now to me she communicates sadness, a lot of sadness. “She doesn’t even look worried, it’s as if she is letting herself drown.” Another onlooker, Maria, initially assumed the bizarre sculpture was a memorial to a tragic past event. “I learnt today that’s not what it’s about, but I think people can each give their own meaning to it,” she said. At first the girl’s face gave me a feeling of stress. Triana Gil, Spain Depicted to be the head of a girl aged between 10 and 12 years old, it floats with the tides of the estuary to represent “the future, sunken or afloat, of the next generations “, explained Orozko. He completed the giant head for a campaign by the BBK Foundation – the charitable arm of Spanish lender Kutxabank – to encourage debate around sustainability. The goal is for people to be aware that “their actions can sink us or keep us afloat”, the artist told Spanish news website Nius. As the tides rise and fall, the 120kg (264 lb) fibreglass figure is submerged and uncovered each day. BBK said the artwork was a reflection on what could happen “if we continue to bet on unsustainable models” such as those that contribute to climate change. Hora’s readers aren’t so sure, though, with some telling the website that it just looks like “a girl drowning”. Another confused resident assumed the floating head could be “a reconciliation to the ideas of the ships going to the port”. ‘Bihar’ is not the first Orozco work to surprise and shock Bilbao. Two years ago his life-size statue of a lone woman sitting on a park bench, ‘Invisible Soledad,’ sparked a debate about the isolated lives of the elderly. EPAMexican artist Ruben Orozco next to his sculpture ‘Bihar’ in Bilbao, Basque Country, northern Spain[/caption] We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.