One university student died and five of his colleagues are still missing after the group of friends was pulled into the sea by a rogue wave at Praia do Meco, near Sesimbra. The news shocked Portugal over the weekend, and civil protection services have warned that the beach is notorious for its dangerous conditions.
“It is very easy to be surprised by waves at Praia do Meco,” said a spokesman for Sesimbra’s rescue services. “It is not the place to be beside the sea without being on one’s guard.”
Sea, land and air searches were still ongoing on Monday December 16, trying to find the five students – four girls and a boy – that are still missing.
Of the seven pulled into the sea in the early hours of Sunday, only one managed to get back to shore – and the body of another has already been recovered.
