Portuguese authorities are investigating the abandonment of two young boys found by a roadside in the Algarve region, with British police and Europol now assisting in efforts to trace the children's parents. The boys, believed to be brothers aged approximately five and seven, were discovered early on Tuesday morning near the town of Loulé, approximately 20 kilometres north of Faro. They were found disoriented and wearing only light clothing, despite temperatures dropping to single digits overnight.
A local resident alerted the Portuguese National Republican Guard after spotting the children walking along the N270 road. The boys were taken to a nearby hospital for assessment and are now in the care of Portuguese social services. They are described as being in stable condition but unable to provide clear details about their identity or background.
Portugal's Polícia Judiciária has opened a formal investigation, classified as a case of abandonment with potential endangerment. The force has requested assistance from Europol and, given the children's English-language proficiency, the UK's National Crime Agency has been notified. UK police are liaising with their European counterparts, examining missing persons reports and passport databases.
Authorities have released a description of the boys: both fair-haired with blue eyes, and wearing similar clothing – blue jeans and striped jumpers. No matching missing persons reports have yet been filed in Portugal or the United Kingdom. The investigation is focusing on the possibility that the parents may be British nationals living in Europe or tourists who fled the country after abandoning the children.
This case echoes a similar incident in 2020 when two British sisters were left at a Spanish care home. That case concluded with the parents being located and charged in the UK. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Portuguese Guarda Nacional Republicana has appealed for witnesses who may have seen a vehicle stopped near the location between 10pm Monday and 5am Tuesday. The road where the children were found is a relatively quiet stretch connecting Loulé to the A22 motorway, commonly used by tourists accessing the Algarve coast.
Diplomatic sources suggest the British Embassy in Lisbon is monitoring the situation. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support but declined to comment on operational details.
Child welfare organisations have expressed concern about the psychological impact on the boys. Portuguese law allows for provisional foster care if parents are not identified within 48 hours. A family court in Faro is expected to make a determination later this week.
Europol has not confirmed whether any cross-border alerts have been issued, but standard protocol involves checking the Schengen Information System for any related entries. The UK's National Crime Agency is also reviewing its own databases for patterns linked to child abandonment.
This is a developing story. Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
