Young Demonstrator Suffers Severe Injuries at Rossio Station
A protest in Lisbon on Saturday, October 4, 2025, took a serious turn when an 18-year-old demonstrator was critically injured after being electrocuted at the Rossio railway station. The young man, whose identity has not been released, is currently in critical condition at Hospital de São José, suffering from extensive, third-degree burns. The incident occurred as he attempted to climb onto the roof of a train and inadvertently came into contact with an overhead powerline.
Protest Against Detention of Portuguese Citizens in Israel
The demonstration, which drew over 3,000 people, was organized to protest the detention of Portuguese citizens in Israel. These citizens were part of the Global Sumud Humanitarian Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The protest also expressed broader solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemned Israeli actions in the region.
Escalation at Rossio Station
The march began at Praça do Martim Moniz and proceeded to Rossio – Praça D. Pedro IV. While organizers had anticipated around 500 participants, the crowd swelled significantly, far exceeding expectations. Demonstrators entered the Rossio Metro station, disrupting train services and chanting slogans such as 'Free, free Palestine, stop the genocide' and 'Israel is a killer state'. It was during this occupation of the station that the electrocution incident took place.
Status of Detained Portuguese Citizens
The immediate catalyst for the protest was the detention of several Portuguese citizens, including Left Bloc MP Mariana Mortágua, actress Sofia Aparício, and activists Miguel Duarte and Diogo Chaves. Reports indicated that these individuals were in good health despite difficult conditions during their detention and were expected to return to Portugal shortly after the protest. The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that consular support was being provided through the embassy in Tel Aviv.
Ongoing Concerns and Future Actions
The incident at Rossio station highlights the risks associated with escalating protest actions. Police intervened to clear the station following the electrocution. The event underscores the deep public outrage in Portugal regarding the detentions and the broader conflict in Gaza, with organizers reportedly planning further demonstrations.
6 Comments
Mariposa
Portugal stands with Gaza. A powerful and necessary protest.
Muchacha
Dangerous stunts, self-inflicted injury. Not a martyr.
Comandante
Israel's actions are indefensible. Solidarity is crucial.
Bella Ciao
It's truly sad to see an 18-year-old critically injured, highlighting the intense passion behind these demonstrations. However, safety must always be paramount, and such extreme actions carry severe consequences.
Comandante
Tragic, but climbing a train is pure recklessness.
Eugene Alta
While the outrage over detentions and Gaza is understandable, disrupting public services like this often alienates potential allies. A more strategic approach might yield better results without causing such risks.