49-year-old suffered multiple fractures
A woman ‘of French nationality’ has been seriously injured after falling off a cliff near Submarine beach, in the João de Arens area of Portimão.
The 49-year-old suffered multiple fractures after falling around 15 metres “in a place of difficult access”.
A source for the Autoridade Marítima (maritime authority) told Lusa that the spot was so difficult to get to that rescue teams had to approach the victim from the sea.
She was stabilised by a high-angle team from Portimão fire brigade and removed by sea, being transferred to Portimão marina and then transported by helicopter to a hospital unit in the Algarve, the source added.
According to Portimão ports captain Eduardo Pousadas Godinho, “at the site of the fall and in the access areas, there are signs warning of the instability of the cliffs”.
The causes of the woman’s fall are, for the time being, unknown.
“It is a very popular tourist area, especially for foreigners, but it is duly signposted, with warnings about the cliffs’ instability – but people continue to ignore these warnings”, he added.
According to the harbour captain, the maritime authorities “have been very insistent” with consular attachés of various countries “that they warn citizens who visit the Algarve about the dangers that exist in various areas of the coast“.
Pousadas Godinho said regional authorities have been “very concerned to warn people about the risks in areas such as João de Arens (Portimão), Benagil and Sete Vales (Lagoa), but holidaymakers venture out for walks on their own, and end up having accidents”. This suggests the woman was on her own when she fell, although this too has not been fully explained.
Rescue operations involved 18 operatives from Portimão fire brigade, Maritime Police, Lifeboat and INEM medical emergency crews, assisted by five vehicles and a total of three boats.
Source material: LUSA/ SIC
