A MISSING British tourist is feared dead after he was reportedly thrown from a banana boat at an Algarve watersports resort.

The 29-year-old was said to have been with three others thrown into the water as they were towed by a speedboat carrying another six Brits.

Specialist fire service divers are searching for him after he disappeared at Santa Clara Dam near the city of Ourique, just over an hour’s drive north of the Algarve resort of Portimao.

The alarm was raised just before 5pm local time today.

Initial reports said the man was one of three Brits in a boat that overturned on the dam, once the largest artificial lake in the country and a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts as well as fans of water sports.

The other two men were said to have made it to dry land unharmed.

But local fire chief Mario Batista later told local press the missing man was on a type of banana boat with three other Brits thrown into the water as they were towed by a vessel thought to be a speedboat carrying another six Brits.

The name of the missing man, thought to be a holidaymaker although that has not been officially confirmed, has not been released by authorities.

Police are also believed to be taking part in the search operation.

Mr Batista could not be reached for comment on Monday night.