Two British tourists have died after jumping into their holiday apartment pool following a night out in the popular Algarve resort of Albufeira.
The alarm was raised around 4:30am this morning at the Duas Palmeiras aparthotel in the party resort, where two other British men died in separate incidents just last month.
Emergency responders sent to the scene made unsuccessful attempts to revive the two men, aged 27 and 29, who were found at the bottom of the swimming pool.
Alcohol and Swimming Tragedy
Police are working on the theory the pair got into difficulties because they had been drinking and didn’t know how to swim, according to Portuguese tabloid Correio da Manhã.
Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária have been asked by colleagues at the GNR police force to investigate the circumstances surrounding the men’s deaths.
However, the deaths are not being treated as suspicious at this stage, with initial findings suggesting no foul play.
Friends on Holiday
Local reports emerging from Portugal suggest the two men who died this morning were both British and were holidaying with friends at the Duas Palmeiras aparthotel.
GNR military police are handling the case and called in PJ criminal police as a precaution.
Despite attempts by emergency services to perform resuscitation, both men were declared dead at the scene.
Portuguese police could not be reached this afternoon for an official statement.
Resort’s Dark Summer
The tragedy marks the latest in a series of British tourist deaths in Albufeira, raising serious concerns about the resort’s drinking culture.
Just last month, two British men died in separate incidents on the same day in the party town.
A 21-year-old was found dead at the bottom of steps on Avenida da Liberdade after what police believe was a drunken fall.
Previous Tragedies
On the same day in June, 38-year-old Scotsman Greg Monks was found dead at the bottom of a ravine after going missing during a stag do.
Police suggested he fell to his death after climbing a wall while drunk without realising there was a steep drop on the other side.
“All the evidence so far is pointing to the tourist losing all notion of where he was,” a police insider told the Daily Mail at the time.
Resort Under Scrutiny
These tragic cases have brought Albufeira under further scrutiny as the town has transformed from a family-friendly destination to a nightlife hotspot.
Local residents have been expressing growing concern, with one telling Portugal Resident: “If no action is taken, it will be a no-go area for many people.”
“It’s a shame to see Albufeira go in this direction. I’m thinking of leaving the area,” the resident added.
New Rules Coming
The municipal council of Albufeira announced that its new code of conduct is due to come into force this month.
The rules will introduce fines for public nudity or sex, wearing bikinis outside of bathing areas, and street drinking.
Fines of up to €1,500 could be issued for those caught breaking the new regulations.
Drinking Culture Concerns
Bar workers in Albufeira have lamented the drunken excesses of visitors who “buy drugs straight away, and have no idea what they are cut with,” according to reports.
A growing number of residents and tourists describe Albufeira as descending into “a drug and drinking paradise.”
The new code of conduct was proposed after eight British male tourists were identified dancing naked during the day on top of a bar at Rua da Oura last year.
Summer Tourist Season
The Algarve received 5.2 million visitors last year – a record-breaking number, according to the Algarve Tourism Board.
Albufeira has become particularly popular with British tourists seeking nightlife, though this has come at a cost to its family-friendly reputation.
Surfers and locals have called for beaches to be supervised by lifeguards all year round, as tourists often feel tempted to swim even when conditions are dangerous.
Previous Pool Deaths
This is not the first swimming pool tragedy involving British tourists in Albufeira hotels.
In July 2023, a 27-year-old British man died after drowning in the Hotel Paraíso pool while on holiday with his family.
He was found floating face down in cardiac arrest, and despite attempts by lifeguards and paramedics, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Safety Warnings
Sister of victim Greg Monks, Jillian, said she hopes her brother’s story will serve as a warning for fellow holidaymakers.
“I think it just shows in places like Albufeira, everyone needs to stick together and look after each other,” she said.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been approached for comment regarding today’s deaths.
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Image Credit:
Albufeira Beach, Portugal – Image by Steven Lek, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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