Scottish

Scottish Man Vanishes in Portugal on Stag Trip—No Sign in Days

The family of 23-year-old Greg Monks remains in a state of anguish as the search for the missing Scottish man intensifies in Portugal. Greg, who had travelled to Albufeira on the Algarve coast for a stag weekend with friends, was last seen on Friday 31st May 2024, and has not been heard from since. What began as a celebratory trip has spiralled into a nightmare that shows no signs of ending.

Scottish
Credit: Daily Express

According to reports, Greg was separated from his group after a night out and is believed to have last been seen leaving a nightclub in the early hours. Since then, his phone has been unreachable, and there has been no confirmed sighting of him. His family, now in Portugal, are conducting their own searches with support from local authorities and volunteers. “It’s been over 72 hours now with no sign of him,” one family member reportedly said. “He wouldn’t just disappear. Something has happened.”

Greg’s disappearance is especially distressing due to the lack of new information. Authorities have confirmed that they are investigating CCTV footage and speaking with witnesses, but so far no concrete leads have emerged. His passport remains unaccounted for, and police have not ruled out any possibilities—including foul play. The UK Foreign Office is providing consular support to Greg’s family as the search continues.

Friends describe Greg as sociable, dependable, and not the kind of person to simply vanish without warning. The group had arrived in Portugal earlier that week, and according to witnesses, the night of his disappearance was spent bar-hopping in the popular nightlife district. One witness who was out that night said Greg seemed “fine, maybe a little drunk but nothing alarming.”

His family has launched appeals across social media, pleading with anyone who might have seen him or interacted with him that night to come forward. They have also posted the last known photo of Greg, taken on the evening he went missing. His mother has described the wait as “torture,” adding, “We just want to know he’s okay. If someone knows something, please speak up.”

Local police confirmed that searches are being conducted in the surrounding areas, including near cliffs and the beach, raising concerns about potential accidents. However, they are keeping an open mind about all outcomes. The region of Albufeira, while generally popular and safe for tourists, has witnessed sporadic incidents involving young visitors in the past.

With temperatures rising and hope thinning, the family’s distress is mounting. “We flew out the moment we heard,” said Greg’s uncle. “We’ve been going from bar to bar, street to street, just showing his picture and begging for any clue. Someone has to know something.”

So far, efforts have not included any official ground searches with dogs or drones, though that could change depending on police developments. It’s unclear whether Greg’s mobile phone data or banking activity has yielded any clues. His friends, who have since extended their stay in Portugal, are continuing to search and coordinate with authorities.

The incident has drawn significant media attention in both the UK and Portugal. It has also sparked renewed concern about the safety of young travellers abroad, especially in party hotspots. Greg’s case follows a number of high-profile disappearances in tourist areas that have sadly ended in tragedy.

Greg Monks’ family is urging the public, especially those in Albufeira or surrounding areas, to be on the lookout. Flyers have been distributed across the region, and online campaigns are spreading his image in hopes that someone will recognise him or recall seeing him that night.

For now, the Monks family waits—heartbroken but determined to keep searching. “We’re not leaving without Greg,” said his mother. “Someone knows something. Please help us bring him home.”

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