Body found in search for Briton, just 23, who vanished in sea at European holiday hotspot

A body has been found in the search for a British tourist who went missing off the coast of Portugal.

Portugal's National Maritime Authority had said the 23-year-old man disappeared on Thursday while swimming at Peneco Beach in Albufeira, on the country's south coast.

A search had been underway for the swimmer since last Friday.

Now, police have issued a tragic update.

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They said late last night a body, believed to be that of the missing man, was recovered earlier that afternoon off the coast of Albufeira.

"Following an alert at 6.37 pm from a fisherman in the vicinity, officers from the Portimao Local Maritime Police Command, the Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters’ Humanitarian Association and the Albufeira Municipal Civil Protection Service were mobilised," a statement reads.

"On arrival at the scene, members of the Maritime Police, in collaboration with the Fire Brigade, transported the victim to Albufeira Marina."

The National Maritime Authority previously said the 23-year-old had been accompanied by a 19-year-old Briton.

The teenager "apparently managed to get out of the water by his own means to seek help after which the other one disappeared", it added.

More than 4.5 million Britons visit Portugal every year.

Britain is by far the largest overseas market for the Algarve, home to Albufeira.

UK visitors account for roughly 40 per cent of all arrivals at Faro Airport, as well as 44 per cent of the international guests who go to the region.

More to follow...

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