Two sunbathers killed as light aircraft makes emergency landing on Portugal beach
Two people have been killed after a light aircraft made an emergency landing on a beach in Portugal.
The victims were a 56-year-old man and an eight-year-old girl, who were on the beach at Caparica, 20 miles south of Lisbon when the plane crashed.
No-one else on the packed beach is believed to have been injured and the two occupants of the plane were also unhurt.
They are being questioned by police.
Witnesses reported the plane wobbling and skimming the beach before landing, sending holidaymakers into panic.
Some people on the beach ran into the sea to avoid being hit by the aircraft.
Portugal’s national maritime authority said: "A plane with two people on board made an emergency landing on Sao Joao da Caparica beach, striking two sunbathers and causing their deaths."
Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias said the aircraft was from a nearby aviation school and was on a training flight.
Accrding to reports, the dead girl was with her parents, who were unharmed.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026