A nine-year-old child, who was “unconscious,” was rescued on Tuesday afternoon at Altura beach in the Castro Marim municipality of the Algarve.
The National Maritime Authority (AMN) reports that the child encountered difficulties in the water.
“Following an alert received at 12:50 PM via the lifeguard on duty at the beach, elements of the ‘SeaWatch’ Project, INEM, and firefighters from Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim were immediately activated,” the statement notes.
Upon arrival, the child “had been promptly rescued from the water by the lifeguard, with elements from the ‘SeaWatch’ Project commencing resuscitation maneuvers and administering oxygen.”
The child was then transported, using the Amarok vehicle, to the INEM ambulance, where stabilization occurred, followed by transfer to a hospital unit by the firefighters.
Three Beaches Closed to Bathing in Castro Marim
Notably, Altura beach is one of three beaches in the Castro Marim municipality currently closed to bathing, as confirmed by the AMN to Notícias ao Minuto.
The red flag is raised on the waters of Altura/Alagoa, Praia Verdelago, and Praia Verde.
A statement from the Faro district municipality clarified that the results of a water quality analysis conducted on Monday “revealed microbiological contamination levels exceeding the reference limit.”
After the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) conveyed this information to the municipality at noon, the ban was decreed, with the red flag being raised on those beaches.
“The information was officialized to the City Hall at noon, which, in conjunction with official entities, has been deploying resources to investigate possible origins, yet without any indication, within its jurisdiction,” the note states.
According to the municipality, given that the potential contamination source is still under investigation, the Directorate-General of Health has determined a bathing ban as a preventive measure until new results are obtained.
“Even though no effects have been detected, the described situation could potentially pose a health risk to the respective bathers,” it states.
A new analysis has been conducted, which may lift the restriction should parameter changes occur, the Algarve municipality indicates.
“While hoping to restore the safety and quality of the water, we regret any inconvenience this situation may have caused,” it emphasizes.
Notícias ao Minuto with Lusa | 17:58 – 05/08/2025
