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| Britons drown off Portugal coast | Britons drown off Portugal coast |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| Three Britons and a German have drowned off the Algarve coast in south-west Portugal while trying to save their children from strong currents. | |
| The children were washed ashore with minor injuries but two of them lost both their parents, while another two lost their mother, officials said. | The children were washed ashore with minor injuries but two of them lost both their parents, while another two lost their mother, officials said. |
| The couple who died have been named by neighbours in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, as Bob and Deb Fry. | The couple who died have been named by neighbours in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, as Bob and Deb Fry. |
| Three other UK adults are in hospital following the incident near Sagres. | Three other UK adults are in hospital following the incident near Sagres. |
| The Foreign Office have refused to confirm the names of the deceased couple. | The Foreign Office have refused to confirm the names of the deceased couple. |
| The region's governor said an aunt was travelling to be with the two orphaned children, while the father of another child was in hospital. | The region's governor said an aunt was travelling to be with the two orphaned children, while the father of another child was in hospital. |
| The children were among a group of about six youngsters, all of whom are now receiving counselling. | The children were among a group of about six youngsters, all of whom are now receiving counselling. |
| Popular with surfers | Popular with surfers |
| Emergency services said a number of families had been swimming at Praia do Tonel when some of the children got into difficulties near a large rock in the bay at about 1700 local time (1700 BST) on Monday. | Emergency services said a number of families had been swimming at Praia do Tonel when some of the children got into difficulties near a large rock in the bay at about 1700 local time (1700 BST) on Monday. |
| There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress Commander Pedro PereiraMaritime Authority | There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress Commander Pedro PereiraMaritime Authority |
| Commander Pedro Pereira, of the Maritime Authority in nearby Lagos, told BBC News 24: "The waters around the rock where they go to swim... it's relatively calm but they have very strong winds, very strong currents." | Commander Pedro Pereira, of the Maritime Authority in nearby Lagos, told BBC News 24: "The waters around the rock where they go to swim... it's relatively calm but they have very strong winds, very strong currents." |
| The beach faces the Atlantic and is popular with surfers owing to its reputation for strong waves. | The beach faces the Atlantic and is popular with surfers owing to its reputation for strong waves. |
| However, the current could pull people out to sea more easily than swimmers realised, Mr Pereira said. | However, the current could pull people out to sea more easily than swimmers realised, Mr Pereira said. |
| "There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress. | "There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress. |
| "They asked for help and all the families that are with them ran to help them, also some people that are close by." | "They asked for help and all the families that are with them ran to help them, also some people that are close by." |
| Lifeboats | Lifeboats |
| There were no lifeguards on duty, as the official summer bathing season ended several weeks ago on the coast. | There were no lifeguards on duty, as the official summer bathing season ended several weeks ago on the coast. |
| Several lifeboats, a helicopter and other emergency services were scrambled as soon as the alarm was raised. | Several lifeboats, a helicopter and other emergency services were scrambled as soon as the alarm was raised. |
| The beach is popular among surfers Photo: Dimitri Kireyev | The beach is popular among surfers Photo: Dimitri Kireyev |
| One of those who died was picked up by a lifeboat and the other three were washed ashore by waves. | One of those who died was picked up by a lifeboat and the other three were washed ashore by waves. |
| But local emergency services were unable to revive any of them. | But local emergency services were unable to revive any of them. |
| The Foreign Office spokeswoman said next of kin were being informed. | The Foreign Office spokeswoman said next of kin were being informed. |
| No further details were available, she said. | No further details were available, she said. |
| 'Terrible tragedy' | 'Terrible tragedy' |
| The British ambassador had contacted the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao was travelling to the area, she added. | The British ambassador had contacted the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao was travelling to the area, she added. |
| Holiday company The Vigia Group described the drownings as a "terrible tragedy" and said it was offering support to those affected. | Holiday company The Vigia Group described the drownings as a "terrible tragedy" and said it was offering support to those affected. |
| Local villa owner Peter Lucek said he did not consider the spot to be particularly dangerous. | Local villa owner Peter Lucek said he did not consider the spot to be particularly dangerous. |
| "I wouldn't use the word treacherous. | "I wouldn't use the word treacherous. |
| "The area is very popular with surfers and it can be rough, but I've been travelling down there and using this beach for over 20 years and ...I can't imagine the circumstances that would lead to such a horrible incident." | "The area is very popular with surfers and it can be rough, but I've been travelling down there and using this beach for over 20 years and ...I can't imagine the circumstances that would lead to such a horrible incident." |
Have you been to the area? What experiences did you have? Let us know by using the form below. | Have you been to the area? What experiences did you have? Let us know by using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |