The commander of the Maritime Zone of Madeira, captain of the sea and war, Rui Manuel Teixeira, is coordinating the search for the 72-year-old German tourist, who was swept away by a wave.

According to the captain of the Port of Funchal, the German citizen “was walking” with his wife along the coast between Jardim and Paul do Mar, accompanied by another couple, “when he was dragged by a wave”. The friend still “tried to help”, but ended up not “being able to help the friend”. He still suffered “some injuries, but nothing serious”.

The Portuguese Air Force and the Navy are on-site, supported by the Volunteer Firefighters of Calheta, who search by air, sea and land. According to Rui Teixeira, the searches will continue until Sunset, adding to these means the “Drone of the Operational Command of Madeira”.