Tragic firefighting helicopter accident in Portugal
At least four firefighters lost their lives and another is missing after a firefighting helicopter crashed into the Douro River in northern Portugal on Friday, local authorities announced, adding that the pilot survived, AFP reports.
Two bodies were found inside the helicopter, which had been broken in two, and two more were located near the tail, Rui Silva Lampreia, commander of the Douro Port Authority, told local media.
Searches in the waters and on the banks of the Douro River, hoping to find the fifth passenger, were suspended at nightfall and will resume today.
"It is a very, very sad day for Portugal," reacted Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who immediately travelled to the scene of the accident and whose government declared a national day of mourning on Saturday.
The victims of the accident, aged between 29 and 45, were part of a specialised team from the National Gendarmerie's Emergency Protection and Assistance Unit, according to a statement from the National Civil Protection Authority.
The pilot, a 44-year-old civilian, was found alive with minor injuries, gendarmerie spokeswoman Mafalda Almeida told AFP.
The helicopter crashed in the Lamego region shortly after 12:30 local time (11:30 GMT), while returning from a fire near Baiao.
According to the Lusa news agency, this is the most serious air accident in Portugal in the context of the fight against forest fires.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
