Rising temperatures in the Algarve are taking many people to the beaches before the start of the summer season, but authorities warn of risks that are not always visible. According to the newspaper, the lack of surveillance and sea conditions at this time of year increase the danger for those who decide to enter the water.
One of the recent episodes occurred at Praia do Arraial, in Tavira, where two young people ended up in difficulties after entering the sea. According to the same source, the alert was given after both began to experience difficulties due to the current, requiring rescue intervention.
An episode that raised the alarm
The case involved a 14-year-old teenager and a friend who decided to go into the water on a high temperature day. The newspaper writes that both were in distress shortly after starting the bath.
“They were both in distress”, explained the commander of the Captaincy of Tavira, quoted by the same source, describing the moment when the current caught them off guard. In addition to this beach in Tavira not being supervised by lifeguards, the currents of the Ria Formosa can be dangerous, as the sand faces it and not the sea.
Rescue and consequences
The young people ended up being removed from the water with the support of emergency services. The publication adds that a watercraft from the Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos was involved in the operation, with support from local firefighters.
The same source states that the victims showed signs of hypothermia, with one of the young people being transported to the hospital in Faro after the rescue.
Unsupervised beaches out of season
Despite the heat, many beaches in the Algarve still do not have lifeguards. According to Correio da Manhã, this lack of surveillance increases the risk, especially in areas where the sea can exhibit unpredictable behavior.
The sea at this time of year can be more agitated and have stronger currents. These conditions, combined with a lack of supervision, make bathing more risky, even on hot days. The altered morphology of the seabed and the effect of swell contribute to the formation of dangerous areas, which are often difficult to identify on the surface.
Given the increase in people on the beaches, surveillance has been reinforced with additional means. The same newspaper writes that Portuguese Navy teams are patrolling some areas, using vehicles and rescue equipment.
According to the same source, authorities recommend caution and advise avoiding entering the water until the presence of surveillance is guaranteed, highlighting that conditions are not yet typical of summer.
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