A young foreign tourist has gone missing in the sea after entering the water at Praia da Arrifana, in Aljezur, with authorities mounting a major search operation, according to a source from the National Maritime Authority (AMN).
The incident occurred late this morning when the man, believed to be 20-years-old, was swimming with a friend before vanishing close to the breaking waves, harbour master Hugo da Guia of Lagos told journalists.
The tourist, reportedly of Romanian nationality, is thought to have been dragged out by the current.
Following the alert, maritime authorities immediately launched a search by land, sea, and air. The operation includes a lifeboat from the Institute of Sea Rescues and a drone operated by the Aljezur Voluntary Firefighters.
A helicopter from the Portuguese Air Force has also been deployed to assist with search and rescue efforts.
As of the evening of Thursday, 19th February, the search remains ongoing.
Source: AMN
