Portugal Opens Inquiry After Brazilian Boy, 9, Loses Fingertips in School Incident

Overview

• Portugal’s education inspectorate confirmed a formal probe, and the local school grouping is running an internal investigation into the November 10 incident in Cinfães.
• A lawyers’ collective has offered to represent the family and is preparing complaints to the Public Ministry and civil claims over alleged duty‑of‑care failures.
• The family left their home after reported hostility from other parents, the mother lost her job, and they are receiving emergency legal, financial and psychosocial support.
• Brazil’s embassy contacted Portuguese ministers for information, and consular services in Porto offered psychological and legal assistance to the family.
• The child underwent surgery at Hospital de São João with unsuccessful reimplantation of fingertip portions, and the case scrutiny includes claims of prior bullying, a possible racist motive and inadequate school and police responses.