This Saturday, the mayor of Moimenta da Beira declared municipal mourning due to the death of soldiers who were part of the helicopter group that crashed this Friday on the Douro River, one of whom was from the municipality.
In a press release sent to the Lusa agency, Socialist President Paulo Figueiredo stressed that “this is a sad moment for Moimenta da Beira, for the region and for the country!”
In this sense, he writes that the Municipality of Moimenta da Beira “deeply regrets the death of the soldiers of the PPR, the team of the Emergency Protection and Assistance Unit.” [UEPS] who were in the helicopter that crashed into the Douro River this Friday.
“In this hour of pain, I would like to express on behalf of myself and the municipality our deepest condolences to all the families of the victims, in particular to soldier Moimentense, who died in this tragic accident,” the mayor emphasizes.
“His passing means a loss that is difficult to overcome, felt by family, friends, colleagues and our entire community, and accompanied by great sadness,” said Paulo Figueiredo.
“In honour and tribute to all those who died, the Municipality of Moimenta da Beira declares municipal mourning, lowering the flag at the Town Hall,” says the mayor, who also embraces “the embrace of solidarity and brotherhood.”
The forest firefighting helicopter landed on the Douro River on Friday at 12:50 pm near the town of Samodaines, Lamego, and was transporting a pilot and a team of five soldiers from the Emergency Protection and Assistance Unit (UEPC) who were returning from a fire in the municipality of Baião to the Aircraft Assistance Centre (CMA) of Armamar, Viseu district.
The pilot of the plane was rescued alive, having suffered only minor injuries.
So far, the bodies of four NTC soldiers have been found, another element is missing and the search continues.
The causes of the accident are not yet known.
The Portuguese government agency, the Directorate for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Rail Accidents (GPIAAF), has a team on the ground and is investigating the accident.
The AS350 emergency helicopter – Écureuil is operated by HTA Helicópteros based in Loulé, Algarve.