A 13-year-old child died today in Ponte da Barca, in the district of Viana do Castelo, after an “accidental shooting” with his grandfather’s shotgun, several Civil Protection sources announced.
Without specifying details, a source from the Alto Minho Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command confirmed to Lusa that the incident involved a “melee weapon”.
The Viana do Castelo GNR described the weapon as a lead shotgun, which “cannot be considered a firearm, but rather recreational, as it resembles air pressure”.
In the family home, located in S. Martinho de Castro, in the municipality of Ponte da Barca, there was a second child, aged 15, who was not injured.
The “accidental shot” hit the 13-year-old girl in the mouth.
The Judicial Police are investigating.
The incident was reported at 11:40.
A team of psychologists was called to the scene to support the family, who live in France and are in Portugal on vacation.
In addition to the GNR and PJ, the Ponte da Barca Fire Brigade was called to the scene.
The victim was rescued by the Arcos de Valdevez Immediate Life Support Ambulance (SIV) and the Alto Minho Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle (VMER).
