A 32-year-old Moroccan man has been missing since Wednesday night, 11 November, after allegedly falling from a high-speed boat that ended up washed ashore on Cabanas island, in the Ria Formosa, near Tavira. The National Maritime Authority (AMN) is searching for him around the Tavira coastline.
According to the AMN, the vessel was spotted during a joint operation by the Maritime Police and the GNR’s Coastal and Border Control Unit. On realising the authorities were present, the boat made off towards the open sea. It was not pursued.
At 10.43pm, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Lisbon received an alert that someone was missing. Crew from Tavira Lifeboat Station and Tavira’s municipal firefighters were sent out by sea, while the harbour master’s office, the Maritime Police, the GNR, and the PSP joined the effort on land.
The AMN says four Moroccan men were aboard. Three managed to leave the vessel unaided with minor injuries. They were treated at the scene and taken to hospital under escort.
The Maritime Police found and seized the boat, along with fuel and “material with features suspected of forming part of a logistical support structure for drug trafficking”. The matter has been reported to the judicial authorities, and an investigation is under way into where the vessel came from and any possible link to drug trafficking.
Source: SIC
Photo credit: SIC
