Two firefighters died yesterday evening after the fire engine they were travelling in careered off the road, overturning down a slope.
Three colleagues also travelling in the vehicle were injured, one seriously.
The fatalities have been named as 37-year-old Neuza Guedes and 22-year-old Carlos Morais.
Both were attached to the Vinhais fire station in Bragança district.
The accident happened in the context of a rural fire in the area of Travanca.
There appear not to have been any other vehicles involved.
Minister for Interior Administration Eduardo Cabrita has conveyed his âprofound sadnessâ over the tragedy, sending his âwishes for a full recoveryâ to the three injured colleagues.
He expressed his âgratitude at this moment of consternation for all Portuguese peopleâ for the âaltruistic, professional and always selfless way in which thousands of firefighters are part of the national effort to defend the forest against fires on a daily basisâ.
President Marcelo as well as the League of Portuguese Firefighters have also sent their condolences, while the âBombeiros Portuguesesâ Facebook page posted a eulogy ending with the sad reality that âevery time a firefighter falls in service, Portugal becomes a little poorerâ.Â
