A boat carrying 12 people capsized inside one of Portugal’s most famous tourist caves, leaving two people injured and sparking a rescue operation involving more than 20 responders.
The frightening incident happened around 3:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 23, inside the Benagil cave, a popular coastal attraction in Portugal’s Algarve region.
According to Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, two people suffered minor injuries after the boat overturned inside the cave.
The National Maritime Authority told the outlet that the injured victims were taken by a vessel from the Instituto de Socorros a Náufragos to the city of Portimão, where they were expected to receive medical assistance.
CNN reported that a first aid station was set up for victims at the Portimão Marina.
Specific details about the injuries have not been publicly released.
More than 20 people were reportedly involved in the rescue, including local authorities. The owner of the vessel was notified after the incident.
The Local Command of the Maritime Police of Portimão is now leading the investigation into what caused the boat to capsize.
The Benagil cave is one of Portugal’s most recognizable natural attractions. The sea cave is known for its dramatic rock formations, two ocean entrances, and a small beach inside.
Because of safety rules, the cave is only accessible by boat and kayak tours. Authorities banned swimming and disembarking from boats onto the cave’s beach in August 2024.
Saturday’s capsizing is not the first boating scare in the area.
In 2023, a tourist boat capsized nearby with 14 passengers and two crew members on board, according to Correio da Manhã. That incident reportedly involved five children between the ages of 2 and 6, as well as a pregnant woman.
The latest accident is another frightening reminder of how quickly a scenic tourist outing can turn dangerous, especially in sea caves where waves, tight spaces, and boat traffic can create unpredictable conditions.
What was supposed to be a memorable cave tour ended with a capsized boat, injured passengers, and a police investigation into how it happened.
