Four Firefighters Killed Battling Portugal Wildfires

Sept. 18, 2024
The bodies of three firefighters were recovered from their truck while another died of a 'sudden illness.'

Four Portuguese firefighters have been killed while battling wildfires in Portugal. 

The bodies of three firefighters were recovered in Tábua in the district of Coimbra. Their vehicle was caught in the flames on a forest road, BBC reported. 

The firefighters -- Sonia Cláudia Melo, Paulo Jorge Santos, and Susana Cristina Carvalho -- all burned to death.

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said that he was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.

Another firefighter,  João Silva, died of "a sudden illness" while battling a blaze in Oliveira de Azeméis. 

A dozen other firefighters have been injured including two seriously.

Firefighters from Italy, France, Spain and Greece are assisting with the wilfires as they continue to spread. 

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.