The body of a missing British man who disappeared after a boat party has been found in Lisbon’s River Tagus.
Julian Amaral, 23, disappeared around midnight on Wednesday. A search involving police divers was launched shortly afterwards, amid unconfirmed reports that police had recovered CCTV footage showing him falling into the river.
The Portuguese Maritime Police confirmed overnight: ‘The body of the 23-year-old man, who had been missing from the Alcantara Docks in Lisbon since last Wednesday, September 2, was found last night (September 6) in the Tagus River, near the quay of the Liscont Terminal in Alcantara.
‘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.
‘On arrival at the scene, the body was recovered by firefighters and the man’s death was confirmed by the health deputy.
‘After contacting the Public Prosecution Service, the body was transported to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Lisbon.
‘The Maritime Police Psychology Bureau offers support to the victim’s family members.’
Amaral’s sister, Jennifer, confirmed to The Sun: ‘They have found Julian. He is no longer with us.’
Amaral’s sister, Jennifer, confirmed to The Sun: ‘They have found Julian. He is no longer with us.”
The holidaymaker had attended an all-white dress code, youth-oriented music and boating event with his cousin, featuring genres such as Afro house and Afrobeat
A search involving police divers was launched shortly afterwards, amid unconfirmed reports that police had recovered CCTV footage showing him falling into the river
Portuguese police had announced shortly before yesterday’s tragic find that they were scaling back the search for Julian, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
A maritime police chief admitted this after divers were involved in the operation.
“The strongest indications are that he may have fallen into the water,” he said. “On Thursday it was thought the young man had abandoned ship.”
On Saturday evening, the specialized law enforcement agency announced in an update: ‘The search for the 23-year-old young man who disappeared from the Alcantara marina on Wednesday, September 2, has been suspended without him being found.
‘The search operations, coordinated by the Harbor Master and the Local Commander of the Lisbon Maritime Police, involved nautical resources from the Office of the Lisbon Harbor Master and the Local Command of the Lisbon Maritime Police.
“From tomorrow, searches will be carried out as part of the National Maritime Authority’s daily patrol activities.”
A security guard aboard the boat where the party took place reportedly told police that he saw the missing man leaving the ship just after midnight on Wednesday as it docked at Rocha Conde de Obidos, a historic maritime station and scenic viewpoint in Lisbon’s Alcantara district.
Conflicting information indicated that he disappeared after telling his cousin, who attended the party with him, that he was going to the toilet and to the urinal in the boat’s basement last Tuesday around 11:25 p.m.
The party was the Vida de Jovem Boat Party, a popular youth-oriented music and boating event featuring genres such as Afro house and Afrobeat.
The ship Julian left port around 7pm on Tuesday and revelers were asked to respect an all-white dress code.
Jennifer said in an emotional appeal before the Brit’s body was found: ‘If you know me, you know that Julian has always been my baby.
“He’s the brother I laugh with, who I sit and listen to music with, who definitely says the most lol, but also the brother who would make a two hour trip to take care of his niece because I’m sick.
‘He is the brother who calls me for advice or to tell his secrets. He’s the brother who annoys me one second and hugs and laughs the next.
“He’s the brother who stays up with me when I can’t sleep, until I fall asleep. Julian is so important to many, but especially to me. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
“To every family member, friend, co-worker, stranger who has shared messages, information, support and prayers: you don’t even know how much you have done for me and my family.
“The love and support have been overwhelming and I will be forever grateful to all of you.
“As we continue through this difficult chapter, please keep sharing. Keep sending me information, no matter how small. Keep looking. We will find Julian.
“To Julian, I love you so much, bro. I miss you so much. I want you to be well and come back to us.”
Although he was on holiday, Julian is said to have been staying with a relative in Portugal. An autopsy is expected to take place in the coming hours.
