A firefighter from the Covilhã brigade died and four others were injured in a traffic accident on their way to a wildfire in the municipality of Fundão, confirmed the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC).
“A firefighter from the Covilhã Fire Brigade died today, August 17, as a result of a traffic accident at 19:10, while heading to the wildfire outbreak in Quinta do Campo, Fundão,” reads a note sent to newsrooms.
Civil Protection added that the accident also left “four firefighters injured, who are being rescued/assisted by emergency teams on site.”
The information was initially reported by CNN Portugal and RTP, which indicated that the vehicle, carrying five people, had overturned in Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, in the Covilhã municipality.
The Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of Beiras and Serra da Estrela confirmed to Notícias ao Minuto the occurrence of an accident involving a firefighter vehicle but did not disclose the condition of the victims.
The Covilhã Volunteer Fire Brigade confirmed it was a vehicle from their corporation, without providing further details.
In the note sent to newsrooms, Civil Protection expressed “deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the Covilhã Volunteer Firefighters’ Humanitarian Association, also wishing a swift and full recovery to the firefighters injured in this accident.”
“It can never be emphasized enough the dedication, altruism, and professionalism with which, daily, thousands of firefighters across the country dedicate themselves, with courage and commitment, to the defense of populations and forests against wildfires,” it reads.
On-site are 26 operatives, supported by nine vehicles and an aerial means.
On social media, the Portuguese Firefighters League (LBP) lamented the “death of a Covilhã Volunteer firefighter and the severe injuries caused to the other members, who were victims of the vehicle overturning while heading to combat the fires.”
This marks the second fatality recorded this year in forest fires, after Carlos Dâmaso, former mayor of Vila Franca do Deão in the municipality of Guarda, died on Friday while fighting the flames.
The former mayor of Vila Franca do Deão was the first casualty caused by forest fires this year. Carlos Dâmaso died while “defending his village and his people.”
Maria Gouveia with Lusa | 08:00 – 16/08/2025
[News updated at 20:42]
