The National Maritime Authority announced that searches for two minors missing at sea since May 25, after allegedly swimming at Pedrógão beach, were halted this evening “without locating the victims.”
From Wednesday onwards, operations “will be carried out during the daily patrols conducted by the National Maritime Authority, both by sea and land.”
“The search operations involve, by sea, crew members of the Nazaré and Figueira da Foz Lifeboat Stations,” and the Portuguese Navy vessel “Viana do Castelo,” the press release stated.
On land, searches were conducted by members of the Nazaré Local Maritime Police Command, supported by a drone, and the National Republican Guard. An aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force was also present.
The search efforts are coordinated by João Lourenço, the captain of the Port and local commander of the Nazaré Maritime Police.
The children were at a beach not yet monitored this time of year, as the official bathing season is set to start on June 7, stated Luís Lopes, a councilor from the Leiria Municipality.
The Maritime Police’s Psychology Office continues to support the family.
The alert regarding the disappearance of the siblings was issued at 5:25 PM on Sunday via the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, prompting the launch of search operations.
On Monday, João Lourenço told Lusa news agency that the minors, who were with their family, “went into the water and were swept away by a wave.”
