# One Portuguese tourist found dead in Velebit Channel search > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/search-for-missing-portuguese-nationals-in-velebit-channel > Updated: 2026-08-12T16:56:28.000Z. Sources: 62. Developments: 2. The search and rescue operation for four Portuguese nationals in Croatia’s Velebit Channel has taken a tragic turn. The incident began when the group, traveling in a 1.5-meter inflatable boat, was caught in severe weather characterized by Bura winds with gusts up to 60 knots (approximately 111 km/h) and waves exceeding two to three meters. Two survivors were rescued on Wednesday: a woman found near Butinj Bay on Krk island and a man located on the rocks between Ogrul Bay and Cape Glavina. The woman was treated at the University Hospital Centre Rijeka for exhaustion and “pre-drowning syndrome” after spending approximately eight to ten hours in the sea; she has since been discharged. On Thursday morning, the body of a 33-year-old Portuguese man was discovered in the sea near Zavratnica Bay on Krk island by a police helicopter. The body was subsequently recovered by the Senj Port Authority. Search efforts have since expanded toward the area of Vrbnik and Cape Druženin. Authorities continue to search for the fourth and final missing individual using police helicopters, Coast Guard aircraft, and various maritime vessels, including maritime units from Senj and Rijeka. ## Claims - A woman was rescued near Butinj Bay approximately seven hours after the disappearance was reported. (disputed by 6 sources) - The rescued woman was in stable condition with normal vital parameters after spending eight to ten hours in the sea. (disputed by 5 sources) - Four Portuguese citizens went missing in the Velebit Channel in a 1.5-meter inflatable boat. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Search operations continue for the remaining two missing members of the Portuguese crew. (corroborated by 10 sources) - A police helicopter spotted the body of one missing Portuguese citizen in the sea near Zavratnica Bay. (corroborated by 7 sources) - A man was rescued from rocks between Ogrul Bay and Cape Glavina. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Mirko Rašić expressed hope that the missing individuals are alive due to the warm sea temperature. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Severe weather conditions included Bura winds with gusts up to 60 knots and waves exceeding two meters. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Velebit Channel search: One Portuguese tourist found dead, two rescued A search for four Portuguese tourists in Croatia's Velebit Channel has turned tragic. Two were rescued alive, one body has been recovered, and authorities continue searching for the fourth person. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velebit-channel-two-portuguese-citizens-rescued-after-disappearance ### 2026-08-10: Velebit Channel: Two Portuguese nationals rescued as search continues Two Portuguese nationals have been rescued alive in the Velebit Channel after disappearing in a small boat during a storm. Search efforts continue for two others, while a prominent Zadar doctor died in a sea-fâ 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dr-tomislav-sori-zadar-urology-head-dies-near-ia-island --- Cite as: One Portuguese tourist found dead in Velebit Channel search. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/search-for-missing-portuguese-nationals-in-velebit-channel