The incident occurred around 4:00 PM, just before the first agenda item of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on the Azorean island, coincidentally in front of the Santa Maria Volunteer Firefighters, whose professionals hurried to assist with extinguishers.
The concern generated by the moment did not seem to affect the President, who, leaning on the car hood, attempted to understand the source of the problem and, addressing the media, emphasized the “additional excitement” caused by the situation.
The issue was resolved in a few minutes, with the President being transported in another vehicle — smaller and electric — that was carrying other members of the entourage.
In Santa Maria, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is scheduled to visit the Teleporto — an infrastructure of the Portuguese space sector, the REAGE station — Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Spatial Stations, and the island’s fishing port.
