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Britons drown off Portugal coast Britons drown off Portugal coast
(40 minutes later)
Three Britons and a German national have drowned off the south-west coast of the Algarve, in Portugal.Three Britons and a German national have drowned off the south-west coast of the Algarve, in Portugal.
Three other Britons were being treated in hospital following the incident, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said. Three other Britons were in hospital following the incident near the town of Sagres, said the Foreign Office.
Local authorities said they dived in to save three children who were later washed ashore with slight injuries. Local authorities said they dived in to try to help three children later washed ashore with slight injuries.
The British ambassador had contacted the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao was travelling to the area, the Foreign Office added.The British ambassador had contacted the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao was travelling to the area, the Foreign Office added.
One of those who died off the coast of the south-western town of Sagres was picked up by a lifeboat and the other three were washed ashore by waves.
'Strong currents''Strong currents'
Local emergency services were unable to revive the four adults who are believed to be aged between 40 and 50 years old. One of those who died off the coast of the south-western town of Sagres was picked up by a lifeboat and the other three were washed ashore by waves.
But local emergency services were unable to revive the four adults who are believed to be aged between 40 and 50 years old.
A number of families had been swimming at the beach when some of the children got into difficulties near a large rock in the bay, the emergency services said.A number of families had been swimming at the beach when some of the children got into difficulties near a large rock in the bay, the emergency services said.
Commander Pereira, of the Maritime Authority in nearby Lagos, told BBC News 24: "The waters around the rock where they go to swim, or they have their bath, it's relatively calm but they have very strong winds, very strong currents."Commander Pereira, of the Maritime Authority in nearby Lagos, told BBC News 24: "The waters around the rock where they go to swim, or they have their bath, it's relatively calm but they have very strong winds, very strong currents."
He said lifeboats, the fire service and a Merlin helicopter were called in as soon as the alarm was raised. Treacherous waves
BBC News correspondent Alison Roberts said several lifeboats, a helicopter and other emergency services were scrambled as soon as the alarm was raised at about 1700 local time (1700 BST).
She said the beach faced into the Atlantic and was popular with surfers owing to its reputation for strong waves.
But she said the waves and currents could pull people out to sea more easily than swimmers realised.
Our correspondent said another important factor in the deaths was likely to be the fact that there were no lifeguards on duty because Portugal's official bathing season ended several weeks ago.
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.