An 83-year-old Frenchman drowned yesterday (August 29) while swimming near an unsupervised area between the Salgados and Praia Grande beaches in Albufeira.
The man was found unconscious at around 3.30pm by a former lifeguard, who alerted emergency services and provided first-aid.
Paramedics performed CPR when they arrived and rushed the man to Albufeira’s basic emergency unit, where he died.
An autopsy is now due to take place to determine if the man “sustained a sudden illness while swimming”.
Reacting to the tragic news, Portimão’s port captain Santos Pereira advised beachgoers to “use beaches that are supervised by lifeguards”.
According to Portugal’s maritime authority, lifeguards have rescued 207 people since the start of this year’s bathing season.
michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com
