The President of Portugal helps rescue two women in trouble at sea

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has helped rescue two women who got into trouble on an Algarve beach when their kayak capsized.

The president, 71, was pictured Saturday swimming across to the kayakers struggling in the water.

He later told reporters that the women were swept away by streams from a neighboring beach in the bay.

President Rebelo de Sousa is currently on holiday in the Algarve in a bid to promote tourism there.

Portugal’s economy is heavily dependent on its tourism sector, which has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

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The president had just spoken to journalists on the beach Praia do Alvor when he noticed the women wrestling.

Video footage captured the moment he swam into the sea to help her. Another man was already there, trying to help the kayak turn around, while a person on a jet ski also approached to offer help.

The man on the jet ski then managed to drag the kayak to shore.

After helping the women, President Rebelo de Sousa told reporters that the women came from another beach.

“Because there is a very large westerly current, they were dragged outside, turned around, swallowed a lot of water and could not even turn [the kayak], yet to climb [on it], or swimming, so is the strength of the present, “he told local media.

The president said he was helped by another “patriot” on the jet ski.

He warned that women should be careful in the future.

According to broadcaster 20 Minutos, the president spends his vacation visiting various areas of the country to promote tourism.

Portugal remains on the list of countries exempted from quarantine restrictions by the UK government.

The country is incredibly popular with British holidaymakers, with almost three million UK visitors a year. More tourists from the UK go to the Algarve every summer than from any other country.