Search operations for the three missing fishermen were concluded on Sunday around 5:30 p.m. by sea and air, but “some surveillance” will be maintained on land.
Providing an update to journalists, Fernando Pereira, the Port Captain of Caminha, stated that searches “will resume as soon as visibility conditions allow us to proceed.”
“Preliminary analysis suggests that a rogue wave capsized the vessel in the area where they were either entering or approaching,” said Pereira, noting the incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. near the rocky area of Forte da Ínsua, in Moledo, Caminha district.
During the afternoon search operations, two of the victims, including the vessel’s captain and an Indonesian fisherman, were located. They were subsequently assisted and transported, conscious, to a hospital facility by members of Caminha’s Volunteer Firefighters.
The other three fishermen remain missing, though it has been confirmed that none are inside the fishing boat they were on.
“There are no signs of the missing victims inside the vessel, so we are expanding our search area to other zones,” Pereira continued, adding that they will continue searching further north and “extend the search area at least up to Viana do Castelo.”
Asked about the safety condition of the sunken boat, Pereira clarified it is a “coastal fishing vessel, over ten meters in length and enclosed, meaning it is not open-decked and thus, a vessel with some sturdiness.” In fact, “it was the largest vessel practicing here at the Caminha port.”
At the time of the sinking, waves were about three meters high with light winds, “practicable conditions.” The three missing fishermen are Indonesian nationals.
The National Maritime Authority is conducting searches for three fishermen of Indonesian nationality off the coast of Caminha, who are missing at sea after their local fishing vessel capsized today around 12:20 p.m.
Lusa | 14:38 – 14/12/2025
