A 23-year-old British man, Julian Amaral, has been missing in Lisbon since early Wednesday morning, with authorities now considering the possibility that he fell into the Tagus River after attending a boat party. Amaral, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was last seen around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, when he told his cousin he was going to the restroom on the boat.
Portuguese Maritime Police are leading the search, focusing on the river near the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Police spokesman Ricardo Sa Granja stated that the leading theory is that Amaral fell into the water, a shift from an earlier consideration that he may have left the vessel voluntarily. "Today, the strongest indications are that he may have fallen into the water," Sa Granja said.
The boat party, described as a youth-oriented music event featuring Afro house and Afrobeat genres, had an all-white dress code. Amaral was with his cousin, who confirmed that Amaral, despite having had a few drinks, was not intoxicated and would not have left the party without him, given his unfamiliarity with Lisbon and their close relationship.
Reports from Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha suggest police may have obtained CCTV footage showing Amaral falling into the river shortly after leaving the boat at Rocha Conde de Obidos, a maritime station in Lisbon's Alcantara area. A security guard on board reportedly told police he saw Amaral disembarking around midnight.
Amaral's family has been actively appealing for information on social media. His sister Cassie described her heartbreak and stressed that Julian is a strong swimmer. Another relative had previously expressed fears of a kidnapping.
The search operation, initially concentrated around the Alcantara Dock, has been expanded. It has involved police divers, drones, and a Portuguese Air Force helicopter. The National Maritime Authority confirmed the search was suspended on Friday evening and resumed on Saturday morning.
Amaral was reportedly staying at a relative's house in Portugal. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and dark grey long shorts. His family has continued to share appeals, emphasizing his importance to them and urging the public to keep sharing any information, no matter how small.