PSP investigates mystery of tourists’ backpacks abandoned in the mountains

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

Jornal Madeira’s front page reports this unusual story on the front page.

Three bags belonging to foreign citizens were found in the Boaventura forest area. The backpacks contained documents and plane tickets that were not booked. Firefighters and the Forest Police were the first to arrive at the scene. The PSP took over the investigation, which may include criminal implications.

From Jornal Madeira

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Tobi Hughes

17 Responses

  1. Not the first time, often gets hidden as it’s not good for tourism. There was a spate of walkers getting robbed on levada trails by two guys who threaten to throw you down the mountain at Camara do Lobos. Didn’t make much news because of the obvious.

      1. Yeah, like I have nothing better to do, think what you like. You have denied instances before, like the rape of two tourist girls a few years back, probably because you make an income in tourism.
        There is a rotten underbelly in all places, Madeira is no different. It has a high, domestic abuse, drug, animal cruelty, corruption and violence record, it’s just well hidden as tourism is 90% of it’s income.
        If you want a peaceful life, don’t dig too deep below the surface, you won’t like what you find. Of course, all those with an interest in tourism/tourists, including the government either don’t want to know or don’t want their custom to know. Go figure.

        1. The two girls that were raped by another foreigner was news everywhere. A trial already ocurred. What exactly was “hidden”?

          The Levadas story is just bullshit you made up, it was so hidden that conspiracists like you found out.

          2. I didn’t say the rapes were hidden, I said Russel denied it, maybe learn to read. I didn’t make it up, it’s something that was spoken about at the time but not covered. The whole point was Madeira isn’t all unicorns and rainbows.. like the man that had his ears and fingers cut off recently.

          3. No it was a local called Andre Freitas nick name “Giant”, but blame a foreigner if it makes you feel better.

        2. … F? It appears that you are Obsessed with Negative Dark stuff most of which only exists in Your mind !!! …

          1. Whatever, so apart from the guys on the levadas that wasn’t in the papers, you’re saying nothing else I’ve said happened, is that right?

            1. Yes, it makes all sense if you want to pickpocket a wallet you take a bus and walk 3 or 4 miles in a Levada where a tourist passes every 15 minutes and no one would recognize you when you walk back.

              1. Robbing on levadas has been about for years, and more so when I first moved here. Police dressed as tourists eventually to catch some of the thieves, and I have friends that have had this happen to them. So educate yourself and don’t think it doesn’t happen. With the price rises on the island its even more difficult for any locals to live.

  2. What do I know, even the one about being robbed at knifepoint on a levada is there. You two are probably afraid it damages your income, ostriches with your heads in the sand but call me a liar? Read and educate yourselves.

    https://www.madeiraislandnews.com/2024/08/violent-death-scares-camara-de-lobos.html

    https://www.madeiraislandnews.com/2021/09/detainee-suspected-of-raping-two-english-women-in-funchal.html

    https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/man-dubbed-giant-raped-brit-28498728

    https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189167-i435-k4917587-o10-Levadas_Warning-Funchal_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html

  3. Didn’t take much to search
    Forum / Madeira Islands / Madeira / Funchal
    levadas Warning

    EnglandVivid · 16 forum posts

    Hi all , we were Robbed at Knifepoint a few days ago on the levadas Estreito de camara de lobos, Starts from the sign Levada do Norte. My wife and I were walking on our own it was our first levada and we were so looking forward to it.

    About 2 to 3kms in two local men approached us from behind just before the Meter wide bridge, we stood back to let them through and they marched passed they looked focused and didn’t say a word, I thought to myself I didn’t like the look of those two and my suspicions unfortunatley came to light 300 mts later when they jumped down in front of us form the hill side, one in front of me and one in front of my wife brandishing awful knives and demanding money from us, we gave them all the money we had and let us go it was an awful experience. I am only posting this because I feel it would be irresponsible not to. I found out from some of the locals after a bit of persusion that there have been 5 similar incidents on that Levada alone recently. I’m not suggesting that you never ever walk these wonderful places but I am saying go in a group of 6 or more, I mentioned the incident at my hotel on our return expecting them to be horrified, and what I got was ” I always tell our guests to walk in a group for safety” pity they didn’t bother or have any signs up or let us know, some of the poorer Madeira’ns are having a hard time at the moment and as one barman told me some of them have resorted to robbery just to survive. Please I do not wish to frighten anyone from going to Madeira, it’s a lovely place, but from the short investigation I made afterwards this type of crime is definatley going on more than is being reported and is being swept under the carpet at a local level, which you can understand. Finally the local Police we’ re really supportive and tried to help as much as they could and we thank them for that. Take care. vivid.

    1. Did you go the police to make a full report and description ? I been over the place in many levadas and never did have any that type of problems not saying that can happen but cant go generalize that is happening over the place and isn’t safe anymore . And independent that life is hard not all population will go in the levadas and mountains robbed people independent if it is a local or tourist .

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