"Right now, we have a helicopter flying over the area and the corvette 'João Roby', a vessel from the Lifeboat Station and a Maritime Police vessel searching the sea," the Captain of the Port of Aveiro, Humberto Silva Rocha told Lusa.

The same official also said that searches are taking place on land, with two teams from the Maritime Police patrolling between Barra beach and Costa Nova beach, located south of the disappearance site.

The warning about the disappearance of the young man of about 20 years old, born in Gafanha da Nazaré, in Ílhavo, was given to the authorities at 18:37 on Tuesday, 12 May.

According to Commander Humberto Silva Rocha, the young man was walking on the beach together with a cousin and a friend when the three were surprised by a wave.

Two of them were rescued by surfers who were in the area and, after being assisted on the spot, were transported to Hospital de Aveiro, just in case.

“The two rescued were dressed. Therefore, it is assumed that they were caught by a wave in an area of ??a water tank and will have been pulled by the currents”, said the commander.

At this time of year, the beach has no guards, because the start of the bathing season is only scheduled for 13 June.