79-year-old woman spent the night outdoors and was taken to the hospital
A 79-year-old Italian woman who had been reported missing from her home in Monchique on Sunday (April 27) was found alive on Monday morning, just minutes after the major power outage that affected Portugal.
The woman, a resident of Portela Baixa, was found at around 11.45am on Monday by a team from GNR police’s K9 unit, in a rural area near the town. According to a GNR police source, the woman – who spent around 17 hours outdoors without eating or drinking – was found lying on the ground, covered by brambles, “in a state of shock” and with small abrasions.
“Although she was shaken and had some minor cuts, the woman was in good health overall,” said the spokesperson. “She received initial medical assistance at the scene before being transported to Portimão Hospital for further evaluation.”
National tabloid Correio da Manhã has provided further details, describing the woman as an Italian nun suffering from Alzheimer’s disease who lives in Monchique with a family member.
The search for the elderly woman began promptly after the alarm was raised at 6.25pm on Sunday. The operation involved GNR personnel, local civil protection services, and the use of drones to assist in the search efforts.
