Urgent search for Brit holidaymaker, 23, lost at sea in Portugal

A search operation has been launched in Portugal after a British man has been reported missing in a popular holiday hotspot.

The 23-year-old was last spotted swimming on Peneco Beach in southern Portugal with a 19-year-old man, also from the UK. The teenager managed to leave the water without needing help, according to the National Maritime Authority, but the 23-year-old is still lost at sea.

Expert divers and police officials are now desperately searching for the man.

View 2 Images

A statement this evening from the National Maritime Authority on Facebook reads: “The search for the young man, 23 years old and British nationality, who went missing at sea this afternoon, June 11, on Peneco beach, Albufeira council, was interrupted early tonight without the victim having been found.

“In the search operations, coordinated by the Port Captain and Local Commander of the Portimão Maritime Police, were engaged, by sea, crews from the Ferragudo Life Saving Station and elements from the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Albufeira, with a team of divers. Next to the coast, elements of the Portimão Maritime Police Local Command, the “SeaWatch” Project, the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Albufeira, supported by drones, and still the lifeguards on duty on the beach were carrying out searches.

“Search operations were disrupted earlier tonight and will resume tomorrow morning.

“According to what was possible, the victim was accompanied by another young man, 19 years old and British nationality, who must have left the water by his own means to ask for help, having eventually disappeared.

Article continues below

“The British Embassy in Portugal, through the Consulate in Portimão, was activated to contact the victim’s relatives and provide psychological support to the 19-year-old young man.”

In an earlier update they confirmed the 19-year-old was “physically well” and did not need medical assistance.