The search for a diver missing at sea since Saturday evening on the island of Terceira in the Azores was called off due to weather conditions and “the victim was never found,” the Navy said.
“The search was interrupted on Monday afternoon due to weather conditions, and from tomorrow [terça-feira]will be carried out as part of the daily patrols of the National Maritime Administration,” the Navy said in a statement.
According to the victim’s friend, who alerted authorities at 18:30 (19:30 Lisbon) on Saturday, the 43-year-old man was diving near Fradinhos island on Terceira island but failed to return to land.
The search began on Saturday but was interrupted overnight due to “lack of visibility” and resumed on Sunday morning.
They were interrupted again on Sunday afternoon “due to weather conditions” and resumed this afternoon.
According to the Navy, the search operations, coordinated by the harbor master and the local commander of the maritime police of Praia da Vitória and Angra do Heroísmo, involved crews from the Praia da Vitória and Angra do Heroísmo rescue station and elements of the local command. Marine police from Praia da Vitória, supported by the vessel, as well as a group of volunteer recreational divers from the island’s maritime clubs.
NCIS’s psychological unit “has been activated and is providing support to the victim’s family and friends.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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