Thirteen people, including two children, were rescued after a tourist boat capsized inside the famous Benagil sea cave in Lagoa on Saturday (August 10) due to a strong wave.
Witnesses said there were “moments of panic” as people were thrown overboard.
The two children, aged around five, and two women were caught underneath the boat for a few minutes until help arrived.
“They were able to breathe due to the air pocket inside,” a member of the team of lifeguards at Benagil beach told Jornal de Notícias.
Others lost their lifejackets due to the impact of the wave.
As the lifeguard explained: “We usually have one lifeguard inside the cave when there is a large number of people visiting it. This time we even had two.”
Three people required hospital assistance after the ordeal but none of the injuries were serious, one of them having sustained a suspected bone fracture and the other an anxiety attack. Among the people on the boat were Portuguese, Spanish, French and British holidaymakers.
The Benagil sea cave has become one of the Algarve’s most popular tourist spots, attracting people from all over the world. It has featured over the years in many lists from reputable international publications, being named one of the world’s best natural wonders by the UK’s The Guardian and one of the 50 most beautiful places in the world by Condé Naste Traveler magazine.
People are advised against swimming to the sea cave on their own.
