Child found unconscious at Altura beach, pulled from water at age 9.
Three beaches in the Castro Marim municipality, including Altura beach, were closed to bathing due to microbiological contamination in the bathing waters. The contamination was detected after water quality tests on August 4-5, 2025, leading authorities to impose a ban as a precautionary measure until further analysis was completed.
The source of the contamination is believed to be sewage discharge from the Vila Nova De Cacela sewage pumping station. Between July 27-31, 2025, the pumping station released contaminated water and black silt into a nearby river, which then flowed to the coast near Cacela Velha and was carried by currents towards Altura and other beaches, causing the microbiological contamination.
The swimming ban was lifted on August 6, 2025, after follow-up water tests showed that contamination levels had returned to safe limits, allowing the beaches to reopen.
In a separate incident, a nine-year-old child was rescued unconscious from Altura beach on Tuesday afternoon. The rescue operation involved elements of the 'SeaWatch' project, INEM, and firefighters from Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim. The child was pulled from the water by a lifeguard and resuscitation maneuvers and oxygen were administered by elements of the 'SeaWatch' project. The child was initially stabilized at the INEM ambulance before being taken to a hospital.
Despite the child's rescue, the municipality emphasizes that efforts are being made to restore safety and water quality at the affected beaches. The municipality regrets any inconvenience caused by the situation and states that no effects have been detected yet, but the situation could potentially pose a risk to the health of bathers. Red flags have been placed on the beaches as a result of the ban.
A new analysis is being carried out to determine if the restriction can be lifted if there is a change in the parameters. The three beaches currently closed to bathing are Altura beach, Altura/Alagoa, Verdelago beach, and Verde beach.
- The microbiological contamination at the Castro Marim beaches may have stemmed from recent discharges of contaminated water and black silt from the Vila Nova De Cacela sewage pumping station, which may have contributed to the general news of accidents and health-and-wellness concerns.
- The source of the contamination has led science to question the impact of such discharges on the environment, particularly in the context of fitness-and-exercise activities, such as swimming, which could potentially expose individuals to harmful pathogens.
- Besides the swimming ban due to the contamination, the municipality recommends staying informed about local general news, including updates on the status of the beaches and any potential risks associated with car-accidents or other accidents along the coast.
