Searches for missing couple in Madeira have been suspended since Tuesday – Portugal

• Photo: DR

French couple missing since Saturday in Sítio do Calhau in Madeira

The search for the missing tourist couple on the north coast of the island of Madeira has been suspended since Tuesday due to bad weather, the PSP said this Wednesday, adding that the operation could be definitively interrupted soon.

“At this moment, the weather conditions do not allow the searches to continue, they are suspended. We are working on the information and, depending on whether we have new information, we will decide whether or not to resume the searches”, explained Commissioner João Góis, speaking to journalists, in Funchal.

The official said that if the operation is resumed, the investigation perimeter will be expanded, as the area closest to the place where the tourists were staying, in Fajã da Areia, parish and municipality of São Vicente, has already “been raided more than once.” turn”.

“On Monday, we also carried out searches, because the weather conditions allowed it. We went with our Search, Rescue, Relief and Mountain Rescue brigade and we also had the support of the Civil Protection and Guardia drone team. National Republican”, he stated.

João Góis also mentioned that, now, “the possibility of not resuming the searches is on the table” if there is “no further evidence, any further information”.

The tourists, a man and a woman of French nationality, aged 58 and 56, were on holiday in Madeira and were staying in a local accommodation unit.

The PSP revealed that the alert was given on March 16 in the afternoon by the couple’s daughter, who on that day chose to rest in the accommodation, while her parents decided to go for a walk nearby.

The tourists disappeared without leaving any trace, and the daughter has since returned to France.

The search operation is being coordinated by the Regional Command of the Madeira Public Security Police and also involves the Judiciary Police (PJ), the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Madeira Operational Command, the Regional Civil Protection Service, the SANAS and the Maritime Authority.