Fortunately, despite blurry initial reports, no one was injured in this latest incident in Albufeira, but it once again cast a spotlight on the possible dangers of ignoring warning signs and basking in the shade of cliffs.
According to reports, the overhang that disintegrated onto Maria Luísa beach was not flagged by the authorities as being of imminent risk to beachgoers but warning signs are posted on the beach.
The incident happened shortly before 1pm and no injuries were caused. Some 30 GNR and civil protection officers as well as local fire-fighters were at the spot. The cliff was re-examined at low-tide to double-check no one was buried under the rocks when they collapsed.
In 2009 an identical incident on that same beach made international headlines when five people were killed after part of a cliff-face broke away from the cliff and slammed onto beachgoers below.
Meanwhile, in nearby Lagoa, reports emerged of a similar incident at around the same time on Sunday, although it later transpired that this occurrence was not a collapsed cliff, but a boat that had become trapped in a cave.
The alarm was raised shortly before 1pm when a small boat with six Dutch nationals onboard became stuck in a cave that is only accessible by sea at low-tide, after the tide rose. The family had rented the boat privately and were manning it themselves.
All occupants were successfully rescued and no one was injured in the incident.
Meanwhile the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) has said last weekend’s rockfall on the Maria Luisa beach was “three to four times bigger” than the one that occurred on the same beach in 2009.
According to the agency, around 1,000 tons of rock fell on Sunday, or 400 cubic metres, whereas in 2009, 140 cubic metres of rock crumbled.
Sunday’s rockfall happened at the opposite end of the beach than that of seven years ago.