Aviation accident Four dead after firefighting helicopter crashes in Portugal

At least four firefighters have died after a firefighting helicopter crashed into the River Douro in northern Portugal. Another person is still missing after the accident on Friday, the authorities said.

The pilot of the helicopter survived the crash. "It is a very, very sad day for Portugal", said Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. His government ordered a national day of mourning for Saturday.

Two bodies had been found in the wreckage of the helicopter, which had broken into two parts, Rui Silva Lampreia, the regional head of the National Maritime Authority, told journalists. Two more bodies were later found near the tail.

The search for the fifth occupant of the plane was suspended at nightfall and would be resumed the next day. The pilot, a 44-year-old civilian, was only slightly injured, a gendarmerie spokeswoman told the AFP news agency.

The helicopter crashed at midday in the Lamego area. It was returning from a fire near the municipality of Baião.