The lifeboats sent to rescue the Wootton Bassett families caught in strong currents off the Algarve coast went "as fast as they physically can", a maritime police commander said today.

Three Britons and a German died on Monday after rushing into water off Tonel beach, Sagres, to try to rescue their children.

The youngsters were saved, but the adults were caught out by the strong current.

Surfers and body boarders involved in the rescue of the group yesterday criticised the speed of the response from the authorities.

At least two boats were sent from Porto da Baleeira, located on the opposite side of the village and around a headland.

Locals said the boats took about 40 minutes to arrive, by which time three bodies had already been dragged from the water.

Commandant Marques Pereira, of the Maritime Police based in Lagos, said: "Concerning the events and the mobilisation of the rescue boats to the area, they go as fast as they physically can.

"They go at the maximum speed.

"There is nothing else I can contribute to the qualification of the event."

He denied any knowledge of a possible criminal investigation against the survivors of the tragedy.

"I have sent the report about the event to the public ministry as per normal procedure he said.

"I don't have any more information about the event that can help the qualification of the facts."