The body of a 16-year-old boy who disappeared in the waters of the River Guadiana near Mértola, in Portugal's Beja district, has been recovered, emergency authorities have confirmed.
A spokesperson for the Baixo Alentejo Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command told the Lusa news agency that the teenager's body was found by divers at 3:35pm on Saturday, 4 July.
The alarm was raised at 12:15pm on Saturday after the boy went missing while swimming at Azenhas do Guadiana, a popular riverside bathing spot near Mértola.
In a statement, Portugal's National Maritime Authority (AMN) said the body was located during search operations coordinated by the Harbour Master and Local Commander of the Maritime Police in Vila Real de Santo António before being recovered and brought ashore.
"The death was formally verified by the local health authority and, following consultation with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the body was transported by Mértola Volunteer Fire Brigade to the Medico-Legal Office in Évora," the statement said.
The National Institute of Medical Emergency's (INEM) psychological support team was activated to provide assistance to the deceased’s peers, whilst the Maritime Police has taken charge of the investigation.
Earlier, the AMN said the teenager had reportedly been swimming in the Guadiana River at Azenhas do Guadiana when he got into difficulty in the water and disappeared beneath the surface.
The search operation involved crews from the Vila Real de Santo António Lifeboat Station, personnel from the Harbour Master's Office and Maritime Police, as well as firefighters from Mértola. Specialist dive teams from the Serpa and Moura fire brigades carried out underwater searches under the coordination of the Harbour Master and Maritime Police commander.
According to the Baixo Alentejo Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, the operation mobilised 24 personnel from the Mértola, Moura and Serpa fire brigades, the GNR and the Vila Real de Santo António Harbour Master's Office, supported by 12 vehicles and three boats.
The identity of the 16-year-old boy whose body was recovered from the River Guadiana after he disappeared whilst swimming was later identified as Hugo Bartolomeu, a player for Seixal Clube 1925.
Seixal Municipal Council has expressed its condolences following the teenager's death, offering its solidarity to his family, teammates and the wider sporting community.
Local reports said Hugo had been in Mértola with teammates to take part in the Mértola Cup, an under-16 football tournament. His team was allegedly carrying out a recreational activity at the riverside when the tragedy occurred. The tournament was cancelled following the announcement of his death.
Source: LUSA
Photo credit: LUSA
