At least three people have died and three more are missing after a fishing boat sank off the beaches of Sao Pedro do Moel and Vieira de Leiria in Marinha Grande, 1,800 metres from the coast.
At 4:33 a.m., the local command of the Nazaré Marine Police was alerted to the sinking of the Virgem Dolorosa. The crew informed authorities that there were 17 people on board.
Four vessels began searching, 12 people were rescued and taken to the port of Figueira da Foz. One of the rescued fishermen arrived at the scene dead, two are in serious condition. The other two victims were taken to the port of Nazaré.
Of those rescued alive, four received medical care on the spot, while seven, aged between 23 and 57, were hospitalised in Figueira da Foz. Three have already been discharged. The most seriously injured, aged 57, will be transferred to the intensive care unit of the University Hospital of Coimbra due to breathing difficulties.
There are 38 operational personnel working at the site, supported by 20 resources. A vessel from the Nazaré rescue station was deployed, as well as a helicopter and an Air Force surveillance team.
According to the President of the Marinha Grande Chamber, Aurélio Ferreira, the Virgem Dolorosa is a 24-by-six-metre trawler with a port in Figueira da Foz.
Most of the people on the ship were from Figueira da Foz (Leiros), with two Indonesian crew members rescued alive.
The causes of the flooding are unknown.
Support is provided by the Psychological Department of the Marine Police.
The spokesman for the Maritime Authority, Commander José Diaz, assured that there were no unnecessary people on board and that the conditions for navigation existed, so an investigation into the maritime incident had been launched, which is normal procedure.
“Let’s start with the fact that the swell we are experiencing here is not enough to sink the ship. The oceanographic conditions are not very unfavorable,” said Jose Souza Luis.
Commander Jose Diaz also said an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the three deaths.
Of the 17 people on board, 15 were Portuguese, while the other two fishermen rescued alive were from Indonesia.
A Portuguese Navy ship is being sent to participate in the search. A drone from the Nazaré Marine Police is also on site.
In the update
Author: Sergio A. Vitorino
Source: CM Jornal
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