Two Portuguese doctors killed in Formentera motorcycle crash while celebrating end of medical training
Teresa Pinheiro, 30, and Rita Rebelo, 31, died on Wednesday when their rented motorcycle collided with a taxi on the island of Formentera. They were part of a group of eight colleagues celebrating the end of their medical specialities.
The accident
On the morning of Wednesday, 22 July, around 11:20 local time (10:20 in Lisbon), a rented motorcycle carrying two Portuguese doctors collided with a taxi on the PM-820 road, at kilometre 8.7 near Porto-Salé, between La Savina and Es Pujols in Formentera. The group of eight friends had just arrived at the port and rented a car and two motorcycles for the short trip to their hotel. The car and one motorcycle reached the hotel, but the second never arrived. After unsuccessful phone calls, the friends retraced the route and found the road blocked by police and emergency services.
One of the women, Teresa Pinheiro, died instantly at the scene. The other, Rita Rebelo, was in cardiorespiratory arrest. Paramedics attempted resuscitation and a medical helicopter was activated, but she could not be revived. Both deaths were declared at the crash site. The two women were not carrying identification documents at the time, which initially complicated the identification process.
The victims
Teresa Pinheiro, aged 30, was a neurosurgery resident at the Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de São José in Lisbon. Rita Rebelo (full name Rita de Sousa Rebelo), aged 31 according to most sources (one report gives 32), was an otorhinolaryngology specialist at ULS Estuário do Tejo, working at the Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira. They were part of a group of eight doctors, all graduates of the Nova Medical School, who were on holiday to celebrate the completion of their medical specialities. The group had arrived in Formentera that morning and were heading to their hotel when the crash occurred. The ULS Estuário do Tejo issued a statement expressing its "most sincere sorrow" and solidarity with the family and friends of Rita Rebelo.
Investigation and circumstances
Spanish authorities are investigating the cause of the collision. According to the Diario de Ibiza, citing the Formentera Taxi Association, the motorcycle may have entered the opposite lane and struck the taxi head-on. The Guardia Civil has not yet released official conclusions. The taxi driver, described by the association as experienced and with years behind the wheel, was deeply shaken but did not suffer serious injuries. Several fellow taxi drivers went to the scene to support him. The association also lamented the absence of a dedicated traffic accident investigation unit in Formentera, which meant the road remained closed for five hours (from 11:30 until after 16:30) while agents travelled from Ibiza to gather evidence.
- Group of eight doctors arrives at Formentera port, rents car and two motorcycles.
- Motorcycle collides with taxi on PM-820 road; one victim dies instantly, the other in cardiac arrest.
- Road closed; resuscitation attempts fail, both deaths declared at scene.
- Road reopens after five-hour closure for investigation.
- Portuguese President and government express condolences; consular assistance for repatriation begins.
Official reactions
Portuguese President António José Seguro expressed his "deep sorrow" and offered condolences to the families.
The President of the Republic expresses his deep sorrow for the death of two Portuguese citizens in a road accident on the Spanish island of Formentera and extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa, confirmed that consular services are assisting the families and coordinating with local authorities to expedite the repatriation of the bodies.
From the very first moment we have been in permanent contact with our consular team on the ground. They are accompanying the local authorities and the legal procedures, as well as supporting the families at every moment. We are assisting with everything necessary so that the repatriation can take place as quickly as possible and the ceremonies can be held.
The Portuguese Order of Doctors also issued a statement of condolence, mourning the loss of two young colleagues. The National Council of the Internal Doctor (CNMI) expressed its "deep sorrow" and offered condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Teresa Pinheiro and Rita Rebelo.
## Repatriation The bodies of the two women remain in Spain, where autopsies will be performed in Ibiza before they are released for transport to Portugal. The parents of the victims have travelled to Formentera and are being supported by the remaining six friends, who stayed on the island to assist. The Portuguese government is working to ensure the repatriation proceeds swiftly.
