After a spectacular accident in which the helicopter was split in two, 4 bodies were recovered, the pilot survived and the search for the remaining occupant began. Today the search has been resumed.
The search for a GNR soldier who is still missing after a helicopter accident in the Douro River, in Portugal, it resumed this Saturday morning. According to the Lusa agency, 103 elements from various forces are at the scene, 36 vehicles and one aerial vehicle, carrying out underwater, aerial and land searches.
Searches were halted overnight due to poor visibility. During the afternoon they met four lifeless bodiesall GNR soldiers. The pilot was rescued alive.
However, the authorities decided to start this Saturday morning the work to remove the helicopter while the search continues.
The device fell on Friday, in Peso da Régua, on the Douro River. There were six occupants on board.the pilot and five soldiers from the Emergency Protection and Relief Unit (UEPS) of the GNR, who were returning from putting out a fire.
The first two bodies were found inside the helicopter and the other two near the tail of the helicopter. the aircraft, which broke in two at the time of the accident.
The five GNR soldiers were between 29 and 45 years old, a GNR spokesperson told the Lusa agency. The victims’ families have the support of INEM psychologists.
“Europe always grateful”
He president of the European Parliament He regretted the accident. Roberta Metsola He wrote on the X channel that he learned about the accident “with sadness”, also paying tribute to the victims.
“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the brave soldiers who lost their lives while trying to protect others,” he wrote. “Europe will always be grateful for your altruism“.
On Friday, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro went to the scene to continue the operations. In statements to journalists, the prime minister reported that This Saturday will be declared a day of national mourning .
There, the prime minister boarded a boat to continue the efforts in the waters of the Duero. Montenegro’s action sparked criticism, prompting journalists to directly question the government official about what happened. In response, Luis Montenegro He justified himself by saying that he had permission and that he did not cause disturbances.
He President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was also in Peso da Régua on Friday afternoon. In a statement published on the Presidency’s website, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he was “dismayed” by what happened.
