Fishing Tragedy Unfolds: Day 3 Search for Missing Angler in Northern Portugal

The Portugal Maritime Police has entered the third consecutive day of searching for a 74-year-old recreational angler who vanished while fishing at Paçô Beach in Carreço, Viana do Castelo. Despite the discovery of his fishing gear on Monday and the deployment of air, sea, and land units, the man remains missing.

Search Status

The family identified fishing equipment found Monday as belonging to the missing resident, narrowing the search zone between Forte do Paçô and the Montedor lighthouse alignment. Today's operation added the Coordenada Decimal Lifeguard Association for beach patrols and drone teams scheduled from midday during low tide.

Fernando Pereira, the Port Captain and Local Commander of the Viana do Castelo Maritime Police, confirmed that the search continues with the same configuration deployed Monday. The pensioner, a district resident, was reported missing Sunday, April 19. He frequented this stretch of coastline regularly for recreational fishing.

Multi-Agency Deployment

The search combines maritime and terrestrial assets under the coordination of the Viana do Castelo Port Authority. At sea, the Atento Lifeboat Station and a Maritime Police aquatic rescue jet ski patrol the offshore zone. On land, teams from the Maritime Police Command and the Viana do Castelo Sapadores Fire Brigade comb the shoreline between Viana do Castelo's port and Forte do Cão in the neighboring municipality of Caminha.

The Coordenada Decimal Lifeguard Association is conducting systematic patrols along the beach corridor. From noon onward, when low tide exposes submerged rocks and sandbars, a drone squadron will launch aerial surveillance to maximize visibility of areas hidden beneath the Atlantic's surface during high water.

Safety Awareness

Portugal's maritime regulations prohibit recreational fishing within 100 meters of docks and port facilities, and within 300 meters of beaches during summer season. The Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Marine Safety and Services (DGRM) and the Portugal Maritime Police urge anglers to never fish alone, to check marine forecasts before heading out, and to inform someone of their intended location. Experts recommend carrying a charged mobile phone in a waterproof case and wearing high-visibility clothing.

Family Support

The missing man's relatives are receiving continuous psychological assistance from the Maritime Police Psychology Office, a standard service in prolonged search operations. The family's positive identification of the recovered fishing gear provided the first concrete lead in the search.

Search operations resume at first light each day and continue until darkness. Authorities will maintain efforts while assessing conditions and using established protocols for coastal disappearances.