Searches are still underway after a woman fell into the River Arade in Silves this morning, and was then swept away by the strong current due to ongoing heavy rain.
The woman, who has not yet been identified by authorities, is believed to have fallen into the River Arade, in the town of Silves, and was carried away rapidly by the sheer force of the current. According to reports, an unidentified bystander attempted to hold on to her as she slipped into the river, but was unable to prevent her from being dragged away by the water.
The alert was reportedly raised at around 7:00 am this morning, Tuesday 27th January, prompting the immediate mobilisation of emergency services, including firefighters from the Silves and Portimão brigades, as well as the Maritime Authority. Search efforts are continuing along the river, with the support of drones, and resources have been deployed in a coordinated manner. The operation is being led by the Captain of the Port of Portimão.
By around 4:00 pm, despite sustained search efforts along the River Arade, there were still no signs of the woman’s whereabouts. According to a source on the search team, at this point in time officials believe that she is unlikely to have survived the incident.
At least 19 personnel are involved in the operation, supported by six land vehicles and three boats, under the coordination of the Captain of the Port of Portimão.
Source: CM
