"Ten young people, aged between 18 and 22, were injured, one of whom is in serious condition," and "two military personnel also suffered injuries," says Luís Neves in the statement sent to Lusa and published on social media.

The government official “deeply regrets the serious incident that occurred this morning in Albufeira” and “expresses his deep solidarity with the GNR officers and with all the young people affected and their families,” followed by “concern for the evolution of their state of health.”

The 35-year-old driver “attempted to flee after being ordered to stop” and had a blood alcohol level of 1.29 grams per litre, says the minister, acknowledging the “prompt intervention of the GNR officers present at the scene.”

The spokesman 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, suffered minor injuries.

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

The man was stopped by the officers but disobeyed, and he reversed and continued driving, running over a group of young people.

At the time, "the military police fired some shots into the air in an attempt to stop the driver," he said.

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

The authorities mentioned that the man was arrested 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.