The President of the European Parliament sends her condolences for the helicopter accident in Portugal

Aug. 31 () –

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has sent her condolences to Portugal for the helicopter accident on Friday in which at least four soldiers working to extinguish a fire in the north of the country died.

“It is with sadness that I learn of the tragic accident that occurred today on the Douro River in Portugal,” he said in a message posted on social media X about the incident, the causes of which are still unknown.

Metsola has highlighted the bravery of the victims – four soldiers so far – who were returning from participating in a deployment to put out a fire in the Baiao area, when at 12:50 p.m. (local time) the helicopter in which they were travelling crashed along with another colleague and the pilot, who was found alive and evacuated with minor injuries.

Emergency services have been working on the search for a fifth missing person, tasks that will resume in the waters of the Duero at dawn this Saturday.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the brave soldiers who lost their lives while trying to protect others. Europe will always be grateful for their selflessness,” the Maltese politician said.