Migrant boat with 38 passengers arrives in Algarve region
In the municipality of Vila do Bispo, Algarve, 38 migrants, all Moroccan nationals including 7 minors (one a 12-month-old baby) and 7 women, landed on Boca do Rio beach on Friday evening. The group consisted of 25 men, 6 women, and 7 minors aged from 12 months to 44 years.
Upon receiving the alert at 20h05, the Lagos Maritime Police Command, the Lagos Firefighters, the GNR (National Republican Guard), Vila do Bispo Civil Protection, and Vila do Bispo firefighters were all mobilized to the scene. Authorities provided both food and water at the landing site, and INEM was called to provide clinical support.
Following this incident, the Portuguese Navy and the National Maritime Authority have increased their maritime surveillance and control along the Algarve coast. They have stepped up patrols both at sea and on land around the region to detect and intercept vessels attempting illegal entry into national territory by sea. This operation involves joint and coordinated resource planning to strengthen detection and interception capacity.
Emergency services, including the National Maritime Authority and the Portuguese Navy, are actively involved in these patrols and have called on the public to report any suspicious vessels or unusual movements to the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre or the Local Maritime Police Command.
At present, no new location, boat landing time, or migrant information has been provided. The latest update indicates that the authorities are managing the situation effectively, with increased patrols and surveillance in place.
[1] Source: Portuguese Maritime Authority and Portuguese Navy Press Release, 2023. [2] Source: Vila do Bispo Civil Protection, 2023.
In responding to the incident, the Portuguese Navy and health-and-wellness organizations, such as the National Maritime Authority, have cooperated in their efforts, with the focus on mental-health support for the landed migrants. With increased surveillance and patrols along the Algarve coast, science-based strategies will likely be implemented to improve the overall management of potential future situations.
