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A 13-year-old British boy has died after being stabbed at his home in Portugal allegedly by the ex-partner of his mother.
The boy has been named locally as Alfie Hallett, with tributes paid on social media by the basketball team that he played for.
Authorities said the alleged perpetrator, who also died, was the former partner of the boy’s mother.
According to reports, after killing the boy the man used the knife to stab himself and caused an explosion with a gas leak.
The incident took place in the village of Casais in the municipality of Tomar, about 90 miles north-east of the capital, Lisbon.
Police said officers from the National Republican Guard (GNR) responded after receiving an alert about what appeared to be a domestic violence situation.
The boy’s mother was found “showing signs of having been restrained and assaulted, and was subsequently taken to the nearest hospital”, police said in a statement.
“Both the alleged assailant and the minor presented several injuries caused by a bladed weapon but, despite vital signs still being detectable, death was declared at the scene moments later.
“Inside the house, there was a strong smell of gas which, moments later, resulted in an explosion that injured one of the GNR officers.
“The alleged perpetrator had already served a prison sentence for aggravated homicide, and the family had been flagged following domestic violence cases registered in 2022 and 2023.”
In a post on Facebook, the basketball team Alfie played for paid tribute to the teenager. The Tomar-based Sport Club Operario Cem Soldos posted the message alongside a photograph of Alfie, saying the team had “just become poorer today”.
“Our athlete Alfie passed away today aged 13. Played his last game Saturday, played so well seemed like he knew it was his last game but far from imagining … We want to tell you how much we love you and that you will always be in our hearts! Rest in peace.”
Neighbours told the TV news station SIC Noticias that arguments were frequently heard coming from the family home and that the mother filed a complaint to authorities against her ex-partner in 2023.
Luís Freire, the president of the parish council of Casais and Alviobeira, told SIC Noticias: “There had already been several episodes of violence and, this time, things went very wrong.”
The Foreign Office said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Portugal, and stand ready to provide consular support.”
