According to Lusa news agency, the authorities were alerted to the incident at midday today (28 August) by a person who realised that the couple, described as being in their 60s, were struggling in the ocean and were at risk of drowning.

The male of the couple was rescued from the sea but was described as “lifeless”, while one civilian and two of the rescue team are said to have sustained “minor injuries”.

The body of the woman is still to be recovered.