Selfie-taking couple fall to death in Portugal

Portugal's Correio da Manhã newspaper reported that the couple had died on the Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen's Beach) near Ericeira, a picturesque seaside resort on the country's west coast.

It is unclear which of the pair is an Australian citizen.

The report did not name the couple but said the woman was 30 and the man 40, although other reports gave slightly different ages.

The Australians appeared to have been taking photos when they fell down the cliff at Pescadores Beach in Ericeira, the National Maritime Authority told Portuguese news agency Lusa.

Local media reported a beach cleaner found the couple at the bottom of the high embankment and that a mobile phone found nearby indicated they might have been taking photographs before they fell.

Cops have sealed off the beach while investigations continue into exactly what happened.

Rui Pereira da Terra, head of the local rescue service, said: "Everything seems to indicate the fall happened when they were probably trying to take a selfie".

"It seems that (the victims) might be getting a "selfie", when they let the phone fall, leaned over to grab it and fell", he was quoted as saying.

Council workers sweeping the beach found the bodies early on Tuesday morning, and it's believed they fell from the cliff top between 1am and 6am local time.

It was not the first time that tourists had fallen off the wall.

The Australian Embassy in Lisbon has also been informed of the death.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter, to the family of an Australian who died in Portugal", the spokesperson said.

Daily Star Online has approached the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for comment.