A tragic sequence of incidents linked to the recent bad weather in the Algarve has unfolded since Tuesday, two women being found dead after going missing in Silves.
The body of a 70-year-old woman who fell into the Arade River in Silves was recovered on Tuesday after an alert was raised at 7.19am. According to authorities, the woman was dragged by a strong current after falling into the river. Her body was later located near the Fontes de Estômbar area, in the municipality of Lagoa, by a boat from the Silves fire brigade.
The rescue and recovery operation was coordinated by the Port Captain of Portimão, Eduardo Pousadas Godinho, who told Correio da Manhã that there are no indications of any criminal activity. Searches were carried out both on the river, using three boats from the Silves firefighters and the Maritime Authority, and on land by teams from the GNR and the fire brigade. A drone unit from the Portimão firefighters was also deployed. The body was ultimately recovered by the Ferragudo lifeboat.
Meanwhile, this Wednesday another incident ended tragically with the death of a Dutch woman who went missing in Algoz, Silves. Her husband contacted the 112 emergency hotline at 10.57am, the Algarve Civil Protection Command told The Resident, reporting that his wife had been involved in a car accident and was being swept away by a nearby stream that had overflowed due to the recent heavy rainfall.
The woman’s car was found hours later, followed by her body in the nearby stream.
CM adds that the woman lived nearby and was used to travelling on the dirt road where the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, the municipal council of Silves has issued a public warning due to the high risk of flooding, caused by saturated soils and heavy rainfall. Authorities expect a significant increase in water flows from the dams surrounding the tpwn of Silves, including the Funcho Dam, the Arade Dam and the Odelouca Dam.
Residents are advised to remove vehicles and equipment from areas close to watercourses and the Arade River, particularly in urban zones with a history of flooding. These include the Roman Bridge Restaurant area, Horta Grande Hostel, Silves Municipal Market, LIDL, Burger Ranch, riverside car parks and nearby streets.
Drivers are urged to pay attention to road closures, reduce speed and remain alert to possible landslides or sheets of water on the roads. The council also advises avoiding circulation or staying near riverbanks and watercourses, adopting a cautious and preventive attitude and avoiding risky behaviour.
