De Haan/portugal –
The Portuguese police have been searching for a Belgian national who went missing in the Azores for five days. Dirk Denis (54) disappeared while walking around a crater lake in an old volcano on São Miguel. Meanwhile, local authorities fear the worst.
His disappearance was noticed on February 25 and reported to local police in the Azores. Dirk Denis (54) from De Haan took a walk around Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake on an old volcano on the island of São Miguel. The lake is located at an altitude of more than 500 meters.
It was Dirk’s partner who reported the incident to the police on Sunday evening. “We immediately started a major search, but so far there have been no results,” says Helder Madeiros, spokesperson for the Comando Regional dos Açores. “And after five days it doesn’t look good.”
According to Madeiros, the area where Dirk went for a walk is not immediately classified as dangerous. “Many tourists come to visit there. Our search first focused on the regular hiking trails,” said Madeiros. The area has since been expanded. The problem: it can sit anywhere. And we don’t know what exactly happened.”
Sniffer dogs and drones
The police take various scenarios into account. “He may have gotten lost, or he may have left the hiking trail to seek adventure. According to our information, he had the necessary experience. We have his telephone number, but the battery of his smartphone is flat.” In the meantime, major resources are being deployed: the fire brigade is involved, and sniffer dogs and drones are also used to comb the area.
The hope that Dirk will be found alive has become limited. “Maybe he fell or became unwell. His partner heard him for the last time on Sunday evening,” says Madeiros.
Support from Belgium
In the meantime, a family member of Dirk has also traveled to the Azores: yesterday she was expected in São Miguel. In the meantime, the FPS Foreign Affairs also provides the necessary consular assistance in Portugal. “We are aware of the matter, but cannot comment further,” says Wouter Poels. “The family will receive the necessary support from us.”
There was also a full search in the area yesterday, although the actions were stopped when it got dark. “We especially want to provide clarity to those people about what happened to the man,” it continues. “But we have to be realistic: after five days this is a difficult story. But we will do everything we can to provide clarity. Hopefully we can still find him alive,” Madeiros concludes.
