Holidaymakers on Portugal’s Algarve coast got an unexpected shock last Friday when a small wooden boat washed ashore carrying 38 migrants.
The landing happened on Boca do Rio beach, a scenic spot often visited by wealthy British tourists, just a few miles from Praia da Luz — the town forever linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
A Long and Dangerous Journey
The group, made up of 25 men, six women, and seven children, had reportedly travelled up to 250 miles from Morocco in a tiny 15-foot boat.
One of the passengers claimed that four people had died during the five-day crossing through the rough Atlantic waters — a claim that authorities have not yet confirmed.
Swift Response from Portuguese Authorities
Within hours of arriving, the migrants were rounded up by police and given basic aid, including food packs, water, and hygiene items.
Three children — aged 12 months, eight, and ten — were taken to a children’s clinic in Faro, while one man was sent to a hospital in Portimão. All were discharged soon after.
Temporary shelter was arranged at a sports hall in Vila do Bispo, where they stayed under guard.
Facing Quick Deportation
Portugal’s strict immigration rules mean the group won’t be staying long.
Thirty-one of the migrants appeared in court in Silves, where a judge gave them 20 days to leave voluntarily.
If they fail to do so, they will be forcibly returned to Morocco within 60 days.
The remaining seven — including a family with three children and a man with kidney problems — will have their cases heard separately in Lagos.
No Asylum Requests Filed
So far, none of the migrants have applied for asylum, and officials say any such claim would likely fail, as Morocco is considered a safe country.
Government minister António Leitão Amaro praised the rapid handling of the situation, stressing that while the migrants were treated with dignity and given medical care, the law had to be enforced.
Economic Motivation Suspected
Officials believe the group left Morocco due to limited job opportunities rather than escaping persecution.
Vila do Bispo’s mayor, Rute Silva, said the migrants’ actions showed desperation for a better life, adding: “They will not risk their lives and their families’ lives for nothing.”
Similar Cases in Spain
This incident comes shortly after nine Moroccan men arrived on a Spanish beach near Malaga, leaping from a speedboat and being detained — some by off-duty police officers among the tourists.
Like the Portugal group, they are being held in secure facilities ahead of deportation.
Rare but Growing Route to Portugal
While most African migrants aiming for Europe head towards Spain’s Canary Islands, a smaller number target Portugal’s southern coast.
Over the past six years, around 140 people have arrived in the Algarve in seven separate landings, often departing from El Jadida, south of Casablanca.
Witness Accounts of the Landing
Local dolphin tour operator Paulo Lourenço spotted the migrants’ boat approaching and followed on his motorbike to capture the moment they came ashore.
He recalled how some of them shouted “Portugal!” in relief, while others asked him for water, tobacco, and food.
Beachgoers offered assistance, with one couple giving the group something to eat.
Signs of a Gruelling Voyage
Major Ilídio Barreiros from Portugal’s border control said the migrants showed clear signs of hardship, having endured harsh weather for days.
He dismissed the idea of an organised smuggling operation, noting the tiny size of their vessel.
When told they would be sent home, he said the group showed little emotion and appeared to accept their fate.
