Portuguese Tourist Injured in Fernando de Noronha Wave Accident

A 62-year-old Portuguese tourist suffered a serious injury on December 27 at Praia do Bode in Fernando de Noronha. The incident occurred when a strong wave struck the man, causing a suspected spinal injury. He was stabilized and transferred to Recife for advanced medical care.

The patient was transported via a specialized state aircraft equipped with an ICU unit. Health officials confirmed the patient is conscious and stable. Additional medical personnel will be deployed during the New Year festivities to ensure tourist safety.

A Portuguese tourist was injured on Saturday, December 27, while visiting Fernando de Noronha. The 62-year-old businessman was at Praia do Bode with his wife when he was surprised by a strong wave. The force of the ocean knocked him down, resulting in immediate injury.

According to reports, the tourist was not accompanied by his wife at the exact moment of impact, but she was present on the beach. Local residents on the scene provided immediate assistance to the injured man before emergency services arrived. The Fire Department (Corpo de Bombeiros) was called to transport the victim to the local medical facility.

Following the accident, the tourist was taken to Hospital São Lucas on the island. Medical evaluation revealed a suspected traumatismo raquimedular (TRM), which is a spinal cord injury located in the vertebral column. The patient exhibited difficulty moving, although he was able to move one of his legs.

Orlando Neto, the Superintendent of Health for the Island Administration, explained the necessity of the transfer. "There is a suspicion of traumatic spinal injury (TRM), which is a spinal cord injury located in the vertebral column. He presented difficulty in movement, although he managed to move one leg. Therefore, the transfer to Recife was necessary," Neto stated.

The transfer took place on Sunday, December 28. The patient was moved via a state government aircraft specifically equipped with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He was transported to Hospital da Restauração in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, to undergo more detailed examinations. These tests are required to confirm whether there is an actual lesion or merely an edema caused by the impact of the wave.

Despite the severity of the suspected injury, health officials have provided reassuring updates regarding the tourist's condition. Orlando Neto confirmed that the patient remains conscious and is not facing a risk of death. The primary goal of the transfer to Recife was to obtain precise diagnostic imaging to guide the appropriate treatment.

In anticipation of the increased tourist flow during the end-of-year holidays, the Island Administration is implementing special operational measures. A specific operation has been organized to support the health sector during this busy period.

The plan includes the deployment of a specialized team featuring:

• An ambulance unit
• Rescue professionals
• 24-hour duty shifts

This team will be stationed at the Port of Santo Antônio, where the Administration is organizing three days of festivities for New Year's Eve (Réveillon). This proactive measure aims to ensure rapid response capabilities for any incidents occurring during the celebrations.