In statements to the Lusa news agency, the commander of the Portel Volunteer Fire Department, Bruno Louro, indicated that the body was found at 11:11am.

The 48-year-old man, a resident of Safara, in the municipality of Moura, neighbouring Portel, was "found by firefighters' divers in the reservoir area, at Alqueva Beach, where he had last been seen," he specified.

The search today involved 37 personnel, supported by vehicles and boats, including resources from various fire departments, such as Portel, the GNR, and the Municipal Civil Protection Service.

The operation, which on 23 August also mobilised resources from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) to support the family of the missing man, today involved divers from the fire departments of Moura and Serpa, in the district of Beja, Avis, Gavião and Ponte de Sor, in the district of Portalegre, and also from the Special Civil Protection Force, reported the commander.

The man disappeared on Sunday afternoon when he went for a swim in the reservoir at Praia de Alqueva, where he was with his family, said Bruno Louro.

On 23 August, a source from the Sub-Regional Command of Emergency and Civil Protection of Central Alentejo had said that the authorities received the alert for the disappearance at 4:47 m.

The alert “was given by the family” of the missing man, a source from the Évora Territorial Command of the GNR, contacted by Lusa, also said on Sunday.

The searches began that afternoon, also with divers, but at 8:30 pm, the water searches were suspended, while the land searches continued throughout the night, ensured by GNR military personnel.

The aquatic operation resumed this morning at 7:28am with reinforced resources, including drones.