A hit-and-run in Albufeira left 12 injured

Twelve people were injured, one seriously, in a hit-and-run in the early hours of 25 August in Oura, Albufeira, in an area with bars. The driver was arrested, a GNR source told Lusa.

By TPN/Lusa, in News · 25 Aug 2026, 08:39 · 3 Comments

The spokesperson for the National Republican Guard (GNR), Carlos Canatário, told Lusa that of the 12 injured, a young woman suffered serious injuries, and the others, including two GNR officers, sustained minor injuries.

"The 35-year-old man was arrested and had a blood alcohol level of 1.29 grams per litre. Toxicological tests were also carried out."

The police state that the hit-and-run occurred around 3:00am on 25 August on Rua Francisco Sá Carneiro, when a vehicle that was parked on a public road started moving.

Officers stopped the man, but he disobeyed, reversed, and continued driving.

GNR spokesperson mentioned that the man was stopped again by the military, but continued to drive towards people, running them over and continuing on his way.

"At this point, the GNR officers fired some shots into the air in an attempt to stop the driver," he said.

Then, Carlos Canatário stated that the car crashed into another vehicle, and the man tried to flee on foot, but was eventually apprehended by the military personnel from the Public Order Intervention Group.

The GNR arrested the man for the crimes of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, and dangerous driving, and the facts were reported to the Judicial Court for the application of the respective coercive measures.

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Never, never, never fire shots into the air.
What goes up must come down.

By Joe from USA on 25 Aug 2026, 10:46

Hopefully this person will be in prison for these crimes. However, the bar scene is also responsible in Albufeira and througout the country. A couple of weeks ago a young man was killed when bicycling near Olhão. When will Portugal and the rest of the western world recognise that alcohol consumption should not be encouraged at bars and restaurants, even in so-called “moderate” amounts. Instead it is glorified. My mother got hit by a drunk driver. Luckily she survived, but no one should suffer from the irresponsibility of alcohol users, the most deadly drug on the planet. Legalise cannabis. Require keys to cars be held by bars, or police called should drunks refuse. This problem should be treated as a crisis.

By JoeT from Algarve on 25 Aug 2026, 12:27

The perpetrator will no doubt now be sat at home watching Netflix with a bottle of Whiskey under house arrest whilst his victims suffer in pain in hospital.

By Dave from Algarve on 26 Aug 2026, 18:24