Three people of Spanish and Swedish nationalities, aged between 25 and 40, were rescued last night after the high-speed vessel, known as a "flying speedboat," they were on drifted adrift about 60 nautical miles, approximately 111 kilometres, west of Viana do Castelo. The alert was received at the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre in Lisbon, which activated the rescue carried out by a merchant ship.
The mobilized authorities included the Lifeboat Station of Viana do Castelo, the Port Captaincy, the Maritime Police, the Central Criminal Investigation Unit, the GNR's Coastal and Border Control Unit, and the Judicial Police. Maritime Police officers rescued the three people from the merchant ship, about two nautical miles west of the outer breakwater of Viana do Castelo, while the lifeboat crew proceeded to tow the vessel to the quay.
The three people were identified by the authorities and are physically well. After coordination with the Judicial Police, they voluntarily left the premises of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Viana do Castelo, remaining identified as part of the ongoing process. The vessel, flying a Spanish flag, was seized as a precautionary measure while investigations continue to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
The situation occurred just hours after a vessel of the same type was found grounded at Moledo beach, in Caminha. So far, there is no official indication that the two cases are related.
