Iara Ribeiro, aged 20, and her 22-year-old boyfriend are the deceased found inside the vehicle that fell into the Pedrógão Grande river beach in Leiria last Saturday.
The young woman, originally from Porto, was a student at the University of Maia, which has expressed “deep sorrow for her untimely and tragic departure.”
“It is with profound sadness that the Student Association of the University of Maia announces the passing of our student Iara Ribeiro, a Psychology undergraduate,” reads a statement on the university’s social media. “In this moment of grief, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all colleagues who shared her academic and personal journey. May they find strength and solace during this difficult time.”
Iara’s sister also shared an emotional message on social media: “Rest in peace my life, you are my pride. I love you very much,” wrote Sara Ribeiro.
The couple reportedly spent the weekend in the central region of the country. Preliminary information suggests their car was parked on an inclined ramp near the dam, unknowingly becoming unsecured, eventually ending up in the water. Neither survived.
The accident alert was issued around 9:30 PM on Saturday, indicating a vehicle had fallen into the river beach near the Cabril dam.
The bodies were retrieved from the submerged car with the help of a diving team, and death was declared at 11:53 PM.
At the scene were 16 responders, including firefighters from Pedrógão Grande, GNR, INEM, Civil Protection, and divers from Sernache do Bonjardim, in the district of Castelo Branco.
Government to Conduct “Comprehensive Evaluation” on Dam Safety
The Ministry of Environment and Energy has ordered the drafting of a “comprehensive report on the safety conditions” of Portuguese dams, an assessment spearheaded by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
“The Minister of Environment and Energy has mandated an in-depth report on the conditions in which activities related to the safety of Portuguese dams are conducted, aiming to enhance inspection in this critical sector,” stated the ministry in a communiqué.
According to Maria da Graça Carvalho’s office, Portugal currently has 263 major dams covered by the Dam Safety Regulations, alongside a much higher number of smaller infrastructures, crucial for various uses, especially in agriculture, governed by the Small Dams Regulations.
The ministry attributes this “comprehensive and updated technical evaluation” to “increasing legal complexity, aging infrastructures, new operators entering the field, and the impacts of climate change.”
The APA, as the national dam safety authority, is responsible for preparing the report, coordinating with sector entities, including the National Commission for Dam Safety.
“The government tasked the APA with drafting this report, which is to update and deepen the characterization of national dams from a safety perspective, inventory and prioritize intervention and funding needs, evaluate available resources, and present operational improvement proposals,” highlighted the ministry, noting that costs will be covered by the Environmental Fund, managed by the Climate Agency.
Cited in the statement, Maria da Graça Carvalho emphasizes that this report, due within 12 months, “will identify vulnerabilities, prioritize interventions, and ensure the country is prepared to address present and future challenges.”
