The 38 migrants aboard a boat that washed ashore at Praia de Boca do Rio in the municipality of Vila Nova de Bispo, Algarve, on Friday are “presumably” all of Moroccan nationality, and some remain hospitalized, the National Republican Guard (GNR) revealed on Saturday.
“We assume they are all Moroccan citizens, leading us to deduce that they came from North Africa in search of a country in Europe,” stated Major Ilídio Barreiros of the Coastal and Border Control Unit (UCCF) of the GNR in an interview, noting that investigations are ongoing.
The GNR does not dismiss the possibility of other similar situations occurring.
“We are fully aware that, at this moment, there could be other similar occurrences, as there are in southern Spain and southern Italy, which could attract other citizens seeking better living, working, and security conditions,” he said.
Major Ilídio Barreiros further noted that there are “some children and family members hospitalized” in Faro Hospital, along with another migrant hospitalized in Portimão Hospital after suffering “a relapse”.
It should be recalled that the GNR had previously informed that the migrants “were in a debilitated state and in need of medical care, showing signs of dehydration and hypothermia. Emergency services were immediately called to provide assistance on site.” In coordination with INEM, “their health status was evaluated, and ten individuals were then transported to hospitals for medical observation.”
The migrants are beginning to be presented to competent authorities this Saturday in the Silves Court, and “several possibilities are on the table”, as highlighted by the major. A “case-by-case” assessment of the “circumstances of each” will be made, followed by a decision that may not be “necessarily global.”
The artisanal boat, it should be noted, had seven minors aboard, along with 25 men and six women.
The alert was raised by a member of the public around 20:10 when the wooden boat approached the Portuguese coast near Praia da Boca do Rio in Budens.
The vessel, according to the GNR, was subject to a judicial inspection by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Coastal Control Detachment in Olhão and subsequently towed to the port by the Maritime Patrol Section of the Coastal Control Detachment in Sines.
“At the moment, screening and the execution of the National Border Contingency and Return Plan are underway,” the GNR added.
This action by the Faro Territorial Command was reinforced by other GNR units, namely the Beja Territorial Command and the Intervention Unit (UI). Present at the scene were also operatives from Civil Protection and the Voluntary Firefighters of Vila do Bispo and Lagos.
Moreover, the operational coordination for the migrants’ referral was conducted in collaboration with the Internal Security System – Border and Foreigners Coordination Unit (UCFE), the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA), and the Public Security Police (PSP).
