German children rescued off unsupervised Algarve beach – Portugal Resident
Two German children were rescued from strong currents at the Cacela Velha inlet on Friday afternoon, July 31, after getting into difficulty while swimming in an unguarded area.
The children, aged nine and 15, were pulled to safety by members of the SeaWatch project from Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira during a routine coastal surveillance patrol.
According to the National Maritime Authority (AMN), SeaWatch personnel spotted four children struggling in the water after being swept away by the powerful current at the Cacela Velha inlet, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António.
The team immediately entered the water and rescued two of the children, while the other two managed to reach shore by their own means.
None of the children required medical assistance and all were reported to be in good physical condition.
The incident occurred in an area where bathing is not supervised and where strong tidal currents have long made conditions hazardous for swimmers.
Following the rescue, the National Maritime Authority reiterated its warning against swimming at Cacela Velha, stressing that the inlet presents significant dangers due to its powerful currents.
The SeaWatch project, which operates along parts of the Algarve coastline during the summer, carries out surveillance and rapid-response patrols in areas where lifeguard coverage is limited, helping to prevent drownings and assist beachgoers in difficulty.
