In a joint statement, the municipality of Boticas, the Portuguese Napoleonic Association, and WilCôa, Lda., clarified that during the cultural and recreational event associated with the Napoleonic Invasions, “regrettably, an accident involving the explosion of black powder occurred, unfortunately causing injuries to two re-enactors.”
It was mentioned that emergency services were immediately activated and the injured were transported to the hospital.
“It is noteworthy that at no time was the public at risk, as the accident occurred backstage at the event where only the historical re-enactors were present,” the statement further reads.
The municipality of Boticas and the entire event organization expressed regret over the incident and wished those involved a speedy recovery.
In the late afternoon, Carlos Gomes, the commander of the Boticas Volunteer Firefighters, stated that the accident caused two “severely burned” casualties.
According to the Civil Protection’s website, the alert for the accident was raised at 17:38 on Saturday, mobilizing 16 operatives, five ground resources, and one aerial resource.
