“In the accident, Five GNR soldiers died. The CDS in the Government will be represented with the Prime Minister”, he announced at the entrance to AgroSemana – Feira Agrícola do Norte in Póvoa de Varzim, in the district of Porto, whose visitor, like Agrival in Penafiel, was canceled.

“Both visits were canceled, anything else would not be acceptable, the moment is one of deep pain, today the funerals of GNR soldiers who die in combat and public service circumstances take place, I think this sign of respect is due,” he announced.

Following the incident that killed five GNR soldiers, the centrists had already announced that they would postpone for 15 days their political ‘rentrée’ which was scheduled to start this Saturday.

Refusing to answer any questions about the State Budget for 2025, the CDS leader and Minister of Defense reaffirmed his “deep regret”, leaving once again a word of gratitude to the operatives who participated in the searches.

“Once again reaffirm the deep regret and sincere feelings towards the family of these soldiers who gave their lives to perform public service. Also a lot of solidarity with the Republican National Guard in this moment of pain and obviously leave my congratulations to the operatives of many entities, coordinated by the Maritime Police, because they were unsurpassed”, he declared.

Rescued survivor.

The forest firefighting helicopter crashed on Friday in the Douro River, near the city of Samodães, Lamego, inside the aircraft: a pilot and a team of five soldiers from the Emergency Protection and Relief Unit (UEPC). They were returning from a mission (from a fire) in the municipality of Baião.

The helicopter pilot was rescued alive. He had only minor injuries.

Also on Friday, the bodies of four GNR soldiers were located. The fifth was located on Saturday afternoon, after intense searches at the site.

The Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF), an agency of the Portuguese State, has a team on the ground and is investigating the accident.

The funerals of four of the five GNR soldiers, who died in the crash of a helicopter in the Douro River, will take place this Sunday.