At 14:00 this afternoon a press statement was released confirming that the emergency services still haven’t been able to trace the whereabouts of the missing French couple.
The incident has now been passed over to the Public Security Police who are currently coordinating the search in the area of the mountainous slopes in front of the São Vicente Club Naval.
At the operational command post set up at the Clube Naval de São Vicente, there are several civil protection agents, including the PSP, GNR, and Maritime Police as well as the Regional Command for Relief Operations (CROS) and the Operational Command of Madeira who were carrying out additional searches via drones.
PSP Commissioner João Góis told journalists that the search for the whereabouts of a missing couple will continue for a few more days or until they find some trace of them. He also confirmed that sea searches have been suspended and that they are concentrating on the slope of Fajã da Areia.
The searches on land are being carried out by a specialised mountain search and rescue team, with the support of the PSP and the GNR, with additional help from drone operators from the Operational Command of Madeira.
João Góis said that at a criminal level, the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Police, which has already collected statements from the couple’s daughter.
However, the PSP asks that if anyone has any information about the couple to immediately contact the authorities.
