Twelve individuals, including British tourists and police officers, were injured early Tuesday morning when a drunk driver accelerated into pedestrians in the Portuguese holiday resort town of Albufeira. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Rua Francisco Sa Carneiro, a street known for its nightlife.
The suspect, a 35-year-old man, reportedly ignored orders from officers of the National Republican Guard (GNR) to stop. Instead, the driver maneuvered the vehicle and drove toward pedestrians and police. The vehicle then collided with another car before the suspect attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended by officers.
Of the 12 injured, one person sustained serious injuries, while 11 others had minor injuries. Among the injured were Portuguese nationals and visitors from Scotland, all reportedly between 18 and 22 years old, as well as two GNR officers. All victims received immediate medical attention.
Authorities reported that the driver's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was 1.29 g/l. Portugal's legal limit for driving under the influence is 0.05%. The driver was also subjected to toxicological tests.
The suspect faces charges including aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, and dangerous driving. The case has been referred to the competent Judicial Court for further proceedings. The GNR stated that investigations into the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing.
Albufeira is a popular tourist destination in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.