Mafalda Oliveira informed reporters that the five occupants, four of whom have already been located and removed from the Douro River, are between 29 and 45 years old. She stated that the families of the occupants “have all been notified and are being properly supported by psychologists” from various military and civilian authorities.
A civil protection source told Lusa news agency that the five victims are from the district of Viseu: three from the Municipality of Lamego, one from Moimenta da Beira, and one from Castro Daire. The aircraft pilot, who suffered minor injuries, is from Vila Real and is 44 years old.
Earlier, around 7:00 PM, Navy Commander Silva Lampreia told reporters that “the aircraft broke into two parts, and the other two [occupants who had not yet been detected] were found near the tail of the aircraft downstream from where it fell.”
Of the five military personnel from the GNR’s Emergency, Protection and Rescue Unit (UEPS) who were inside the crashed helicopter, one remains to be located. Two of them were found inside the aircraft, and the other two near the tail of the vehicle.
The commander spoke to journalists at a hotel in Lamego, Viseu district, where the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Administration were also present, and where victims’ families are receiving psychological support from INEM and Maritime Police teams.
Silva Lampreia added that underwater search operations will continue until 9:00 PM, and if the fifth soldier is not located, they will resume on Saturday as soon as there is daylight for diving operations. “But our goal and priority is to find him today,” he emphasized.
Silva Lampreia highlighted that the lack of visibility is hindering diving operations. “However, we are using appropriate diving techniques for the operations,” he stressed, adding that the work is being carried out at a depth of about six meters.
The helicopter crashed into the Douro River around 12:50 PM, near the town of Samodães, Lamego, carrying six passengers, including a pilot and a team of five UEPS military personnel returning from fighting a fire in the municipality of Baião.
The aircraft pilot exited on his own and was rescued by a recreational boat. He is under observation at Vila Real Hospital.
According to Silva Lampreia, there are 115 operatives, 39 vehicles, five boats, and a drone at the scene.
