Guadiana River, Alcoutim
A GNR soldier died and three were injured, on Monday night, on the Guadiana River, after a collision between a guard vessel and a civilian vessel – presumably linked to drug trafficking.
According to the Lusa agency, from a source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, all the victims of this accident are soldiers from the Republican National Guard (GNR).
Fonte da Guarda said after the vessel was rammed by a speedboat, presumably related to drug trafficking.
“Given the characteristics of the high-speed vessel, it is assumed that it is linked to drug trafficking,” said the GNR source.
After the collision, the high-speed boat was found burning almost four kilometers from the place where the accident occurred on the Guadiana river, off Alcoutim, in the district of Faro, with the occupants having fled, according to the source.
The high-speed vessel was detected in the Guadiana River, and a patrol from the Olhão Coastal Control was sent to investigate, and when they tried to board the boat they were rammed.
The same source later indicated that the accident, which was alerted at 11:15 pm, caused the death of a GNR soldier and minor injuries to three others (one with a fractured arm and the others with abrasions).
A source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command told Lusa that 35 operatives were on site, with the support of 14 vehicles.
The investigation is now in charge of the Judiciary Police.
