British tourists are feared to be among 12 people injured after a car ploughed into a crowd of revellers in the early hours of August 25 in the Algarve holiday resort of Albufeira, Portugal. The incident occurred on the Oura strip, a popular nightlife area, when a vehicle that was parked on the public road began to move.
Reports in the country say the suspect, a 35-year-old man, is alleged to have been drunk as he mowed down several pedestrians. He also allegedly ignored police orders to stop as he tried to speed away from the scene. The man was arrested after crashing into another car and attempting to escape on foot.
Police fire shots in the air
Officers fired shots into the air to alert pedestrians and try to intercept him. The man was arrested for crimes including assault, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Local press report the injured include Portuguese nationals and visitors from Scotland, all aged between 18 and 22. Two police officers are also believed to be among the injured. One of the victims is understood to be in a serious condition, but the rest are believed to have suffered only minor injuries. Police are yet to reveal more information on the victims, but local outlets report at least four of the victims are women.
GNR statement on the incident
A spokesperson for the GNR police force, whose officers arrested the driver, said: “The National Republican Guard (GNR) informs that, through the Faro Territorial Command, it detained today, August 25, in the Oura area of Albufeira, a 35-year-old man for the crimes of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving.
“The incident occurred at around 3am, on a street called Rua Francisco Sa Carneiro, when a vehicle that was parked on the public road began to move. In response to the stop order given by the Guard officers, the driver disobeyed and turned around.
“Moments later, when again ordered to stop by officers, the suspect once again ignored the order and drove towards pedestrians and the police deployment, running over several people.
“Following the escape manoeuvre, the vehicle collided with another vehicle, and the suspect attempted to flee on foot, at which point he was intercepted and detained by officers from the Public Order Intervention Group.
“The incident unfortunately resulted in 12 injuries, one serious and 11 minor, including two GNR officers.
“All the victims received immediate medical assistance. When subjected to a breath alcohol screening test, the suspect recorded a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 1.29 g/l, and was also subjected to toxicological tests.
“The facts were reported to the competent Judicial Court for the application of the respective coercive measures.
“The Guard continues to investigate, in greater detail, all the circumstances of this incident.”
