Body of one Portuguese national found in Adriatic Sea; search continues for fourth person

The search for four Portuguese nationals who disappeared while sailing in the Velebit channel during a storm has entered its next phase with the discovery of one body. Two individuals, a man and a woman, were rescued on the previous day and have been hospitalized, while efforts continue to locate the fourth missing person.

Authorities reported that one body was found off the coast near Zavratnica bay. The search operation, which involves vessels from the Senj Harbour Master's Office, the Novi Vinodolski Harbour Master's Office, police boats, and a helicopter, is now expanding its scope. The search area will include the waters around Vrbnik and extend to the cape of Druženin on the island of Krk.

Earlier, two of the four missing individuals were rescued from the sea on Wednesday. A young woman was found near Krk around noon, and a young man was discovered on a rocky shore near Glavina cape later that afternoon. Both were reportedly exhausted and received medical attention before being transported to hospitals.

The National Center for Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination in Rijeka received the initial report of the first rescue at 11:44 a.m. on Wednesday. A rescue boat, dispatched after the woman was spotted by a Croatian Coast Guard aircraft, brought her ashore. She was taken to the Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, where her vital signs were reported as stable. The second rescued individual also received medical assistance for exhaustion.