A 23-year-old British man disappeared on Thursday afternoon, 11 June, whilst swimming at Praia do Peneco beach in Albufeira. Search operations, launched following the alert, resumed on the morning of Friday, 12 June, and continue to involve both maritime and land-based resources.
According to Portugal’s National Maritime Authority (AMN), the missing man was accompanied by another British national, aged 19, who managed to make his way back to shore unaided and raise the alarm. The younger man was unharmed and did not require medical treatment.
The British Embassy in Portugal, through the Consulate in Portimão, has been engaged to contact the family of the missing man and provide psychological support to the 19-year-old companion.
The search operation is being coordinated by the Captain of the Port and Local Commander of the Maritime Police in Portimão. Today's efforts involve crew members from the Ferragudo Lifeboat Station at sea, whilst along the coastline personnel from the Portimão Maritime Police Command, the SeaWatch project, the beach’s lifeguard assistance service and the Portimão Volunteer Fire Brigade are conducting searches with the support of drones.
Speaking to the Portuguese news agency Lusa, Portimão Maritime Police Commander Luís Pousadas Godinho said sea conditions had deteriorated over the past few hours, with south-easterly swells making the search increasingly challenging. In these circumstances, drones have become a particularly valuable asset in supporting teams on the ground.
On the first day of the operation, search efforts involved officers from the Portimão Maritime Police, members of the SeaWatch project and lifeguards on duty at the beach. At sea, crews from the Ferragudo Lifeboat Station were joined by members of the Albufeira Volunteer Fire Brigade, including a team of divers.
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: LUSA
