“I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the pilot-commander who died following an accident with a firefighting plane, while operating in the fight against a fire in Torre de Moncorvo, Bragança”, reads a note from the minister of Internal Administration, José Luís Carneiro.

Classifying the moment as “tragic”, José Luís Carneiro addresses “a word of solidarity to all those who, in a committed, professional and generous way, provide an invaluable service to the country in fighting fires”, stressing that his thoughts are with everyone who are part of “this national effort”.

“I extend this vote of deep condolence to the friends and colleagues who are part of the Special Device for Fighting Rural Fires”, adds the Minister of Internal Administration, also thanking the authorities who cooperated in the rescue operations.

The pilot of an amphibious firefighting plane died after the crash of the aircraft he was piloting, in a vineyard of Quinta do Crasto, in Castelo Melhor, municipality of Foz Coa, district of Guarda.