Two of the four Portuguese tourists who went missing in the Adriatic Sea off Croatia have been found alive, while the search for the remaining two continues, according to Croatian rescue services. The group disappeared early on Wednesday after setting out from a campsite in a small inflatable boat, despite warnings of severe weather in the region.
The tourists were reported missing in the Velebit Channel, a stretch of water between the mainland's Velebit mountain range and the popular islands of Krk, Rab, and Pag. This area is notorious for sudden, powerful winds—known locally as bura—that can whip up dangerous seas with little warning, frequently disrupting maritime traffic.
Rescuers said a woman was found in the sea near the island of Krk after spending almost eight hours in the water. She was pulled to safety in Butinj Cove and handed over to emergency medical personnel, according to Nenad Bugarin, captain of Senj Harbour. Shortly afterwards, a man was located nearby; he had managed to climb onto rocks by himself and was later transported to shore for medical attention.
“The woman was found in the sea in Butinj Cove. She was handed over to emergency medical personnel,” Bugarin told local media. “The man managed to get out of the sea on his own and climb onto rocks. He was transported to shore, where he was handed over to emergency medical personnel.”
The discovery of an abandoned object matching the description of the group's boat led rescuers to the area near Krk. The search for the two missing men is being supported by two military aircraft, with crews battling winds of up to three metres in wave height.
Rescue operation amid harsh conditions
The alarm was raised at 4:41 am after an acquaintance reported the group missing. The four tourists had set off from a local campsite in a 1.5-metre inflatable boat, intending to paddle along the coast, but contact was lost soon after. The Croatian Coast Guard and local emergency services launched an immediate search, but the severe weather made the operation challenging.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel expressed his government's concern on social media, stating that Lisbon was following the situation “with great concern and in close coordination with the Croatian authorities.” The Portuguese embassy in Zagreb is in contact with the families of the missing tourists.
This incident is not isolated. In late July, an Austrian skipper went missing after falling overboard during rough weather near the island of Šolta, also in the Adriatic. That search was called off after four days despite an intensive operation involving a military aircraft.
Croatia's Adriatic coastline is a major draw for tourists, with its crystal-clear waters and historic towns like Dubrovnik and Split. Last year, the country of 3.8 million people welcomed nearly 22 million visitors. However, the sea can be treacherous, and authorities repeatedly warn visitors to respect weather forecasts and avoid small boats in adverse conditions.
The search for the two missing men continues, with rescuers hoping that the same resilience shown by the two survivors will bring good news. The Portuguese government has urged its citizens travelling to Croatia to exercise caution and follow local safety advice.
