Bishop of Guarda expresses his closeness to the injured firefighters and the populations threatened by the fires

The Bishop of Guarda , D. José Pereira, expressed “closeness to the injured firefighters” from the Vila Nova de Tazem Corporation and the populations of the Diocese and the country affected by the fires of recent days.

“Having learned today (July 28) in Rome, through the media, that 5 firefighters from the Vila Nova de Tazem Fire Department suffered minor injuries following an accident with the vehicle in which they were traveling while fighting the fire that broke out in Parada, Ponte da Barca, Viana do Castelo, I come to express my closeness to the injured firefighters, wishing them a speedy recovery, and also to all the soldiers of peace, from our Diocese and beyond, who give their lives for the salvation of threatened populations and for the safeguarding of our territory”, wrote D. José Pereira, from Rome, where he met with a group of young people from the diocese of Guarda, participating in the Youth Jubilee.

The Prelate also expressed his closeness to "the people of Aranhas, Aldeia do Bispo, Aldeia de João Pires, and Bemposta, Penamacor, who, as far as I know, were also threatened by fire." He added: "I pray at this time for God's blessing for all those fighting the active fires and for the people who are threatened and who will have to spend the night outside their homes."

Five firefighters from the Vila Nova de Tazem Volunteer Fire Department, in the municipality of Gouveia , were injured on the afternoon of Monday, July 28, after their light firefighting vehicle skidded off the road. The firefighters were part of the Rural Fire Reinforcement Group of the Beiras and Serra da Estrela Subregion and were traveling to a fire in Lindoso, in the municipality of Ponte da Barca.

The accident occurred at 2:27 pm, at kilometer 71 of the A3 motorway, in the South-North direction.

The victims were immediately treated at the scene by teams from the National Institute of Medical Emergency and the Fire Department, and were transported to Viana do Castelo Hospital. Their injuries were considered minor.