Last updated on 31st January 2023
Army officials have confirmed that José Freitas, a 28-year-old Second Sergeant, who died on Sunday in a firearm accident at the Santa Margarida Military Field, Santarém, was born in Camacha, Madeira.
Earlier on, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, spoke to the dead man’s father “to whom he conveyed his heartfelt condolences.”Information regarding the phone call was published today on the official Presidency of the Republic website. Later this afternoon, the President of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque expressed sorrow and offered his condolences to José Freitas’s family.
Meanwhile, Army officials have confirmed that they are providing support and assistance to José Freitas’s family, and that psychological support is being provided not only to the family, but those who were on duty with him when the incident took place.
José Freitas had recently accompanied his battalion in a posting to the mainland, and was said to be happy with the posting. José loved the Army and was fulfilling, said his friends, a childhood dream.
The circumstances of the incident are “still to be determined” stated a military source on TVI/CNN Portugal.
Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues, and friends.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
