Baby Sofia dies after being left in Almada school bus, investigation launched

An 18‑month‑old girl named Sofia died after being forgotten for several hours inside a school transport vehicle in Almada, Portugal. The Ministry of Public Prosecution opened a high‑priority inquiry, ordering a forensic autopsy to determine the cause of death. The child was the sole passenger of a Peugeot 5008 belonging to the private school O Mestre Cuco when the driver failed to unload her, and she was discovered by a staff member near the school premises after the mother arrived to pick her up. Emergency services, including firefighters, police and ambulance crews, responded, but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. The school has remained closed pending the investigation. Authorities are examining procedural failures and the responsibilities of the school staff involved.