These votes of condolence, followed by a minute of silence, were held at the conclusion of a parliamentary debate on wildfires, which was attended by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
José Pedro Aguiar-Branco proposed, and the deputies gathered in the Standing Committee unanimously approved, four distinct votes of condolence, one for each fatality.
One proposal was in memory of firefighter Daniel Bernardo Agrelo, a volunteer from Covilhã, who died in a traffic accident that left several firefighters injured.
“Daniel Agrelo, aged 44, married and father of a child, died while on duty, en route to fight a rural fire in the region. He died in uniform, defending the safety of the populace and the territory with determination,” the statement praises.
Parliament noted that this death “reminds the country of the absolute heroism with which firefighters daily face the greatest dangers, risking their lives for the common good,” deserving “the profound gratitude of all Portuguese society.”
“To his family, friends, and the Covilhã Fire Department, condolences are extended. There is also the conviction that the example of Daniel Agrelo, alongside many other firefighters, will be remembered as a reference of heroism, selflessness, and service to others,” it reads.
A vote of condolence was also approved for the death of Carlos Dâmaso, former president of the Parish Council of Vila Franca do Deão, who died in the forest fire in the municipality of Guarda.
“Carlos Dâmaso died while fighting the flames, seeking to prevent them from spreading to his locality. In a particularly eloquent testament to local solidarity, he entered the battle against the fire on a tractor lent to him by the current Parish Council president, who was both an electoral rival and a friend and neighbor,” it praises, paying “tribute to his testimony of civic and community dedication.”
The deputies also approved a vote of condolence for the death of forest ranger Daniel Esteves, who was working for a private company involved in forest protection and died from injuries sustained while fighting a fire in the municipality of Sabugal.
“Daniel Esteves fought bravely, with selflessness and a spirit of mission, attempting to extinguish a fire that threatened human lives, property, and the forest. The country pays him tribute, with the gratitude due to heroes,” it states.
A vote of condolence was also passed for the death of Adolfo Santos, who died fighting the fire that broke out in the municipality of Mirandela.
“Through his work, he had already gained some experience in firefighting, having been involved over the years in various operations to circumscribe and contain flames in different parts of the country. He died this Tuesday in another fire zone,” it laments, evoking “his testimony of selflessness, courage, and sacrifice with civic gratitude.”
