“No pollution has been detected in the Arade River” as a result of the crash
Two tourist boats collided on the Arade River in Portimão on Tuesday afternoon, causing minor injuries to three people.
Authorities were alerted at 2.30pm by a witness on the beach who saw the two boats crash in front of the Portimão Marina quay, according to a statement by the national maritime authority (AMN).
Local maritime police and crew members from the Ferragudo lifeboat station were dispatched to the scene, along with Portimão firefighters. Upon arrival, authorities found that the three people who had sustained minor injuries were receiving first aid from Navy personnel and a team of Marines from ships docked at the Naval Support Point in Portimão.
Two American women, aged 57 and 22, were transported by the Ferragudo lifeboat crew to the Ferragudo lifeboat station, where firefighters took them to Portimão hospital. The third injured person, a 57-year-old man, left the scene in his own boat.
Other passengers who were onboard the boats were also transported to the Ferragudo station by the lifeboat crew and Navy personnel.
Meanwhile, the boat owners have been notified that their vessels cannot sail until an inspection confirms they are seaworthy.
Maritime police in Portimão are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the crash. AMN adds that “no pollution has been detected in the Arade River” as a result of the crash.
