Six young adults were killed when a BMW crashed and burst into flames near the US Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, early Sunday morning, according to authorities. The victims, three men and three women all between the ages of 18 and 20, died in a fiery collision that completely destroyed the vehicle.
The deadly crash occurred around 3:31 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, on Avenida das Forças Armadas, directly adjacent to the US Embassy. Police Commissioner Dinarte Diniz, who responded to the scene, confirmed that the BMW 520 hit a curb and lost control before the fatal collision that triggered an intense blaze.
A police officer assigned to the US Embassy witnessed the horrific crash unfold and immediately contacted emergency services. However, by the time authorities arrived at the scene, the flames had already engulfed the vehicle, and there was nothing that could be done to save the occupants.
“The vehicle was completely burned, and it is unclear if seatbelts were used, but given the number of occupants, at least one may not have been wearing one,” Diniz said at the scene. The BMW was a five-seater vehicle carrying six people at the time of the crash, raising immediate questions about passenger safety and vehicle capacity.
Photos from the aftermath show the charred and burnt-out remains of the BMW, with the roof appearing to have been removed by emergency responders attempting to reach the victims. The intensity of the fire left the vehicle totally destroyed, complicating initial identification efforts.
The bodies of all six victims were transported to the Institute of Legal Medicine for proper identification. Authorities indicated that the victims had known each other, though their identities and nationalities were not immediately released following the crash.
The victims were later confirmed to be from Angola. Maria de Jesus Ferreira, the Angolan ambassador to Portugal, extended her condolences to the families affected by the devastating collision. In a letter, she expressed her sorrow over the loss of the young people, noting they had a bright future ahead of them.
The first victims to be identified were 19-year-old driver Bruno Balça and 20-year-old Luís Garrido, who was in the front passenger seat. Investigators later used dental records and DNA to confirm the identities of four Angolan students living in Lisbon: sisters Flora and Tomasia Moreira, economics major Daniela Morais, and first-year engineering student Nelson Ferreira.
“It was with dismay that we learned of the death this Sunday in Lisbon of six young Angolans, victims of a tragic road accident,” the ambassador wrote. She extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of herself and all staff at the Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Portugal.
The crash location on Avenida das Forças Armadas, which translates to Armed Forces Avenue, was closed for several hours as authorities conducted their investigation and cleanup operations. The road was reopened by 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, allowing traffic to resume in the area.
Road safety remains a significant concern in Portugal, where traffic accidents continue to claim lives throughout the year. The involvement of young drivers and passengers in fatal crashes highlights ongoing challenges related to vehicle safety, driver behavior, and adherence to traffic regulations. When vehicles are overcrowded beyond their designated capacity, the risk of severe injury or death in an accident increases substantially, as seatbelts and other safety features are designed for a specific number of occupants.
The area near the US Embassy in Lisbon’s Sete-Rios neighborhood is typically well-traveled, making the early morning timing of this crash particularly notable. The fact that an embassy security officer witnessed the collision ensured that emergency services were notified immediately, though the rapid spread of fire prevented any rescue attempts.
Investigators will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether speed, driver distraction, or mechanical failure played a role in the BMW losing control. The condition of the vehicle after the fire may complicate efforts to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.
The loss of six young lives in a single incident has sent shockwaves through both the Angolan and Portuguese communities. The victims, all in their late teens or early twenties, represent a particularly heartbreaking loss given their youth and potential. Crashes involving multiple young adults often raise questions about late-night driving conditions, vehicle safety standards, and the importance of traffic enforcement measures.
As authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances of the crash, the focus remains on providing support to the families who have lost loved ones and ensuring that lessons can be learned to prevent similar incidents in the future. The proximity of the crash to a diplomatic facility added another layer of complexity to the emergency response, though it also ensured rapid notification of authorities.