Tragic Firefighter Accident in Odemira Sparks Multiple Investigations

Overview of the Investigation

The Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an inquiry into the tragic accident in Odemira that claimed the life of a firefighter. This confirmation comes from CNN Portugal and was verified with the Attorney General's Office. The inquiry is being coordinated by the Odemira Public Prosecutor's Office.

Background of the Incident

On January 1, a vehicle operated by the Odemira Volunteer Firefighters was involved in an accident. Following this incident, the Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco, ordered the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) to conduct an urgent inquiry into the firefighting vehicles purchased in the same batch as the accident vehicle.

The Ministry stated, "Following the tragic accident involving a vehicle from the Odemira Volunteer Firefighters, the Minister ordered an urgent inquiry by the IGAI to investigate all elements of the homologation, certification, legalization, and registration of that vehicle and the vehicles in contract CP-V 056/01/2023."

Ongoing Investigations

This marks the fourth investigation currently underway alongside those from the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration, GNR, and the Emergency and Civil Protection Services Inspectorate.

TVI, part of the same group as CNN Portugal, reported that not only the vehicle involved in the accident but also the other vehicles from the same batch lack certified safety systems for their cabins. As a result of these revelations, the Government ordered the recollection of all vehicles from this batch.

Details of the Vehicles Involved

A total of 81 vehicles, including tankers and forest vehicles, were acquired under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and delivered by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), which included the firefighting vehicle involved in the fatal accident.

The accident resulted in the death of one firefighter and injuries to four others, three of whom are in serious condition. The firefighters were part of the Permanent Intervention Teams (EIP) in Odemira and were returning to the station after responding to a controlled burn that had gone awry in Saboia.

The Emergency and Civil Protection Services Inspectorate has also opened an inquiry into the accident.