Three men die in separate water-related incidents in Porto and Matosinhos

Three men died in separate water-related incidents in Porto and Matosinhos on Friday evening (June 12).

According to Correio da Manhã tabloid newspaper, the first incident occurred at around 7.54pm at Cais dos Banhos, on the Douro riverfront in Porto. A 50-year-old man reportedly jumped into the water from a low height but struck his head on rocks before disappearing beneath the surface.

Members of the Douro Maritime Police were dispatched to the scene and located the man shortly afterwards. He was pulled from the water and resuscitation efforts were carried out, but he could not be saved. His death was later confirmed by emergency medical personnel from INEM.

Just minutes later, at around 8.10pm, emergency services were called to Praia do Ourigo in Porto following another fatal accident.

A 40-year-old man was walking on a rocky section of the coastline when he apparently lost his balance or slipped, hitting his head on the rocks.

Bystanders came to his aid before emergency services arrived, but the victim was already in cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of INEM personnel, Porto Sapadores firefighters and a VMER emergency medical team, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The third fatality occurred shortly after 10pm at Praia do Cabo do Mundo in Matosinhos.

According to reports, a 54-year-old man entered the water for a swim and disappeared almost immediately after diving in.

Maritime police officers from Leixões launched a search operation, while local fishermen who were nearby on foot helped locate the man’s body close to a rocky area. He was declared dead at the scene.

The three bodies were subsequently transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Porto for autopsies.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.