Two firefighters have been killed and three are fighting for their lives after their truck crashed into a ravine.
The tragic incident occurred in Portugal around 7pm on Sunday in the village of São Francisco de Assis as the crew rushed to tackle a blaze in Quinta do Campo, Fundão.
The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into the steep valley.
One injured firefighter was airlifted by a helicopter.
A total of 26 operators rushed to the scene and were supported by nine vehicles and an aircraft, according to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
Teams from the Covilhã and Fundão Volunteer Firefighters, the National Republican Guard and the National Institute of Medical Emergency were also deployed.
AENPC paid tribute to the firefighters: ‘It is never enough to emphasize the commitment, altruism and professionalism with which, every day, thousands of firefighters across the country dedicate themselves, with courage and dedication, to defending the population and the forest against fires.’
They also offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished for a speedy recovery to the injured.
Two firefighters have been killed and three are fighting for their lives after their truck crashed into a ravine
The tragic incident occurred in Portugal around 7pm on Sunday in the village of São Francisco de Assis as the crew rushed to tackle a blaze in Quinta do Campo, Fundão
For numerous days now, several thousand firefighters have been battling fires in various parts of the country. Pictured: A forest fire in Vila da Ponte, Sernancelhe, Viseu, Portugal
Firefighters battle a forest fire that broke out in the Cualedro region of the province of Ourense, Spain
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also spoke of on ‘the tragic death’ of the firefighters ‘while serving the community’.
For numerous days now, several thousand firefighters have been battling fires in various parts of the country.
Carlos Damaso, the former mayor of the Portuguese town Guarda, died this week after trying to fight dramatic wildfires which have ravaged Europe including Spain and Greece.
Nearly 4,000 firefighters are battling seven major fires across the country, in Tabuaço, Trancos, Sirarelhos, Sátão, Arganil, Vilarinho do Monte and Ermidas do Sado.
Apocalyptic scenes show the countryside bathed in sickly red and orange.
One horrifying photo taken in the Sernancelhe district of Viseu, Portugal, shows a raging inferno and dark clouds of smoke threatening to completely submerge a house in flames.
Firefighters in Spain and Greece continued to battle Friday on a public holiday in all three countries as persistent hot, dry conditions challenged efforts to contain the blazes.
