Young man missing in Douro river found dead

A 19-year-old who went missing in the Douro river today was found dead little more than an hour later, deputy commander of the Douro Port Authority, Pedro Cervaens, has told Lusa news agency, indicating that the young man was found near the place where he jumped into the water.

These tragedies are just what authorities have been warning about. In the exceptionally hot weather, people are implored ‘not to take chances’ in the water.

The circumstances surrounding this incident have not been fully explained. The victim was among a group of 12-15 young people, all of them jumping and diving into the water near the Palácio do Freixo in Porto.

He was last seen alive at around 3.25pm.

Once his disappearance was reported, searches began, carried out by the local lifeboat station and drivers from Porto Fire Brigade.

The body will now be taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Porto, for an autopsy to determine cause of death.

Source: LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.