A British woman and her Australian partner fell to their deaths from a 30-metre high beach wall in Portugal, according to reports.
The body of Louise Benson and her partner, both believed to be in their 30s, were found on a beach in Ericeira, a coastal town about 25 miles north of Lisbon, on Tuesday morning.
Rui Pereira da Terra, a captain with the local naval authority, told broadcaster TVI that authorities believe the pair fell when trying to recover a phone or to take photographs on the wall, the Correio da Manha newspaper reported.
Friends of Ms Benson, reportedly a wildlife conservation worker originally from Bristol, paid tribute to her on social media.
One wrote: “You are an amazing person and will be missed. I can’t believe it still and my heart goes out to your family and friends.
“RIP Louise Benson. Condolences to your family. I’m shocked and saddened.”
Another added: “It can be such a cruel world we live in. RIP Louise Benson yet again another great soul took away from us far too early.”
The mother of the Australian man will fly to Portugal to arrange for her son’s body to be brought home, according to PerthNow.
The couple left Australia in January on holiday and had gone to a friend’s wedding in Portugal recently, the site reported.
Local fishermen thought the couple may have been sleeping on the beach after spotting them at around 6.30am, the Jornal de Noticias newspaper reported.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are in touch with local authorities following the death of a British woman in Portugal and are providing support to her family.”
Australia’s foreign affairs department said they were assisting the family of the Australian man.
