**Body Discovered in Algarve Amid Search for Missing British Tourist Greg Monks**
A sombre development has occurred in the case of Greg Monks, a British tourist who disappeared while celebrating a stag party in the bustling Portuguese resort town of Albufeira last month. Portuguese authorities confirmed on Wednesday that a body had been found in connection with the ongoing search. The discovery comes as a devastating blow to family and friends who had hoped for positive news following his disappearance.
Greg Monks, aged 38 and originally from Scotland, was last seen on the evening of Tuesday 27 May. He was in Albufeira along with a group of friends for a stag do—a tradition popular amongst British revellers seeking sun and vibrant nightlife on the Algarve coast. Reports indicate that he vanished during the height of the festivities, with his sudden absence prompting immediate concern among his companions.
The Polícia Judiciária, Portugal’s criminal police force, revealed that the body was found in the Cerro de Águia district, an area not far from the heart of Albufeira’s tourist activity. Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased pending further forensic examination, but early reports suggest that the age and circumstances align with Greg Monks’ disappearance.
Official statements from the Portuguese police detail that a missing person notice was initially filed with the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), the national gendarmerie force, on the evening of 28 May. It was one of the group accompanying Mr Monks who formally alerted authorities, intensifying the search effort in the area in the days following his disappearance.
While investigations continue, the authorities have indicated that a post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course to determine both the identity and the cause of death. For now, the tragic discovery has cast a shadow over the community of holidaymakers and residents in the Algarve, who were all too aware of the search operation taking place over the past week.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a statement expressing their involvement and support for the affected family. A spokesperson commented: “We are assisting the family of a British national who was reported missing in Portugal and maintaining communication with the local authorities.” No further details have, as yet, been released regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr Monks’ disappearance or the condition in which the body was found.
Events such as these are distressingly rare, but highlight the challenges that sometimes arise when individuals go missing while abroad, particularly in areas renowned for their nightlife and large influx of tourists. The case has also prompted renewed discussion around travel safety, both within the expatriate communities in Portugal and amongst prospective British holidaymakers planning to visit the region during the high season.
Family, friends, and the local community remain in limbo, awaiting official confirmation and the results of the upcoming post-mortem. The situation has underscored the vital importance of swift action and cooperation when loved ones vanish in unfamiliar territory. Inquiries are continuing, with both Portuguese and UK authorities working jointly to provide answers and support to those affected.
As the investigation progresses, updates are expected to follow regarding the post-mortem findings and any further actions from authorities. In the meantime, expressions of sympathy and solidarity have flooded in for Mr Monks’ family, who face an agonising wait for closure after this tragic turn of events.