A 23-year-old student in the United Kingdom, Julian Amaral, declared missing during an excursion with his schoolmates to Portugal has been found dead.
Reported noted that Mr Amaral was first reported missing on September 2 after he last seen at the Vida de Jovem Boat Party on the Tagus River.
It was gathered that CCTV footage reportedly captured him falling into the water.
The Portuguese police immediately launched a search and rescue operation alongside divers.
After four days of search operation, the Portugal’s Maritime Police announced in a statement on Monday that the body of Mr Amaral was found in the Tagus River on Sunday.
“The body of the 23-year-old man, who had been missing since last Wednesday, September 2, at Alcantara Docks in Lisbon, was found yesterday evening (September 6) in the Tagus River, near the quay of the Liscont Terminal in Alcantara,” the police said.
Authorities noted that officers arrived at the scene upon receiving an alert about the discovery before the victim’s body was recovered and transported to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Lisbon.
“Following an alert received at around 7.20pm, personnel from the Lisbon Local Maritime Police Command and the Lisbon Regiment of Specialist Firefighters were immediately deployed. Upon arrival at the scene, the body was recovered by the firefighters and the man’s death was certified by the health delegate.
“After contacting the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the body was transported to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Lisbon. The Maritime Police Psychology Office is providing support to the victim’s family members,” the police added.
Meanwhile, Mr Amaral’s sister, Jennifer, mourned him on social media with an emotional tribute, saying she would never stop loving him.
“Dear Julian, being your sister was the greatest privilege! You made me laugh, smile, reconsider so many things! You trusted me with your life! You were always the one to annoy me yet make me laugh in the same breath! I cannot understand why I only got 23 years with you!
“But what I do know is, I will live for you! I will accomplish everything I said I would when we spoke! I will go to the places we planned! But more importantly, I will never forget you and never stop loving you. Sleep well my beautiful baby brother! I love you so much!,” the sister stated.
The family has also launched a GoFundMe to raise money for the return of his body to the United Kingdom for burial.
Many people also joined the family in mourning him.
One of them, Instagram user @kbxrbie said, “This case genuinely doesn’t feel right to me at all. Praying for his family and loved ones. Hopefully this story gets more coverage too!!”
Another user @444hsrjd, commented “The security for that boat or the boat men know what happened because they said they seen him leave and that’s a lie now proven.”
Meanwhile, @ky13th called for a thorough investigation into the matter, stating “This needs a thorough investigation! And can’t just get swept under the carpet. I pray that the family gets the answers and justice they need.”