The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, expressed “sadness and dismay” at the death of Jorge Lopes Pereira, the commander of the Regimento de Engenharia n.º 1 at the Tancos military site. According to the Portuguese Army, Pereira “passed away unexpectedly” on Saturday.
“The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces received the news of the passing of Engineer Colonel Jorge Lopes Pereira with sadness and dismay and has personally extended his sincere condolences to the family and friends,” a statement released on Sunday by the Presidency of the Republic announced.
The Portuguese Army had already communicated the death of Colonel Jorge Lopes Pereira “with sorrow and profound regret” via Facebook on Saturday.
“It is with sorrow and profound regret that we announce the passing of the commander of Regimento de Engenharia n.º 1, Colonel Jorge Lopes Pereira, who passed away unexpectedly. In this time of mourning for the Army family, our thoughts are with his relatives and friends, to whom the Portuguese Army offers its deepest condolences. Rest in peace, my colonel!” they noted.
The Municipality of Vila Nova da Barquinha also expressed its “deep sorrow” over the death of the commander, noting that he “joined the Military Academy in 1991 and was promoted to his current rank in December 2022, assuming command of RE1 on November 23, 2024.”
“His cooperative stance and vision with this municipality, particularly in fulfilling agreements with the Almourol Castle, the Tejo panoramic trail, engineering work, and recently, his dedicated commitment to the project of enhancing the old infirmary of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps ‘city of wood and canvas’ (World War I) greatly contributed to the development of our county and region,” it remarked.
The municipality concluded: “In this moment of grief and farewell, the Municipality of Vila Nova da Barquinha extends to the family, the Portuguese Army, military personnel, and friends the most heartfelt condolences, praising the memory of an illustrious military man whose life was marked by courage, talent, and unwavering commitment to the mission of the Armed Forces.”
Jorge Lopes Pereira, aged 52, was found dead at home in Tomar on Saturday morning, a victim of sudden illness, as reported by O Mirante.
