The tragedy that plunged São Torpes beach in Sines into the headlines almost two weeks ago has finally been ‘completed’ with the discovery of the body of 10-year-old Manuel Carvalho, the child “swallowed” by the sea in “just a few moments” when his father turned his back to fetch a towel (click here).
The boy’s body was discovered today (Monday) in an area of rocks “roughly 1.5 to 2 kms from where he disappeared”, reports Correio da Manhã.
With the devastated family receiving psychological support, the body has been taken to the mortuary of Hospital do Litoral Alentejano, says the paper.
Born in Angola, Manuel had only recently moved to this country to live with his father in Santo André. He was already enrolled in the local school and part of the football club, which has spoken publicly of its sadness in losing a pupil.
The dangers of swimming at unsupervised beaches have been repeatedly stressed since five people drowned at Portuguese beaches in the space of just a few days at the beginning of May, and a number of other fatalities have been reported since.
As of Thursday, beaches up and down the country will start filling with lifeguards who will remain on duty from early morning until 7pm until October.
