Foreign Office issues safety warning for Portugal

If you are planning a trip to Portugal, there are some crucial details you need to be aware of - specifically, three flag colours you should never ignore. The official website, on its 'safety and security' page, cautions tourists about the potential risks associated with 'outdoor activities and adventure tourism'.

When it comes to 'beaches and swimming', the government body highlights that numerous "people drown in the sea and in swimming pools in Portugal" annually, and there are three flags that you must watch out for. If you spot any of these flags, they should never be disregarded - and appropriate action must be taken.

Never ignore these flags

• red means danger: do not go into the water
• yellow means caution: you can walk in the water, but you cannot swim
• green means it is safe to swim in the water

The advice strongly encourages people to exercise caution when "walking close to the water's edge, especially along unsupervised stretches of beaches", noting that there can be instances where "waves can be unpredictable and have a strong undertow."

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As a result, they advise against:

• swim at beaches that connect to or from rivers as they can have strong undercurrents
• swim at any beach without lifeguards
• dive into unknown water as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death

They also alert travellers to the danger of rip tides leading to drowning, and if you find yourself caught in one, "do not try to swim against it". Instead, "swim parallel to the coastline until you no longer feel the current, then try to swim towards the shore".