Portugal mourns four lives lost in helicopter crash during firefighting mission

A tragic helicopter crash occurred in the Douro River, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving one person missing. The incident took place shortly after 12:30 PM on a Friday while the helicopter was returning from a firefighting mission near Baião, close to Porto. The pilot, who was slightly injured, managed to survive the crash, while the victims, aged between 29 and 45, were all members of the Emergency Protection and Rescue Unit of the national gendarmerie. Rescue operations were initiated immediately, with two bodies recovered from the wreckage of the helicopter, which had split into two parts. Further searches led to the discovery of two additional bodies near the tail of the aircraft. Authorities, including Rui Silva Lampreia from the National Maritime Authority, confirmed that underwater searches were being conducted around the helicopter and along the riverbanks. As the search for the fifth passenger was suspended at nightfall, it was announced that operations would resume the following day. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and the community is left in mourning for the lives lost in this tragic event. In response to the incident, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro visited the crash site and declared a national day of mourning for the victims. This event has highlighted the risks faced by emergency responders and the importance of their work in protecting communities from disasters.