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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, while trying to save children. Three Britons and a German national have drowned off the south-west coast of Portugal while trying to save their children from strong currents.
Three other Britons were in hospital following the incident near the town of Sagres, said the Foreign Office. The children were washed ashore with minor injuries but two of them lost both their parents, while another two lost their mother, officials said.
Local authorities said they dived in to try to help three children later washed ashore with slight injuries. Three other adult Britons are in hospital following the incident near the Algarve town of Sagres.
The names of the two men and two women have not yet been released. British officials are travelling to the scene. The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
The British ambassador had contacted the civil governor, and the British consul in Portimao was travelling to the area, the Foreign Office added. 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 two of the children have lost both parents, and an aunt was on her way to be with them. Another two children lost their mother, and the father of another child was in hospital. The German was a holidaymaker who also tried to help the children.
'Strong currents' Popular with surfers
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. 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 at about 1700 local time (1700 BST) on Monday.
But local emergency services were unable to revive the four adults who are believed to be aged between 40 and 50 years old. There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress Commander Pedro PereiraMaritime Authority
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 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, or they have their bath, 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.
Treacherous waves However, the current could pull people out to sea more easily than swimmers realised, Mr Pereira 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). "There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress.
The beach faced into the Atlantic and was popular with surfers owing to its reputation for strong waves, but the current could pull people out to sea more easily than swimmers realised.
"There is a current and some deep waters that caused them to get in distress," Mr Pereira said.
"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."
As the official summer bathing season ended several weeks ago on the coast there were no lifeguards on duty. Lifeboats
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.
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.
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'
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.
"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."
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