Brit, 13, 'is stabbed to death in Portugal attack before killer dies'

A 13-year-old British boy has reportedly been stabbed to death in Portugal - before the killer took his own life by triggering a gas explosion.  

The teen tragically passed away at around midday on Tuesday in the town of Casais, in the Tomar area of the country, according to local media.

It is understood he was attacked by his mother's ex-boyfriend, who then barricaded himself inside her home, Portuguese outlet Diario de Noticias reports. 

The 43-year-old Portuguese citizen then allegedly turned on the gas to cause a leak, which killed him in an enormous blast.

He is believed to have a criminal record - and has also reportedly served time in prison.  

The schoolboy's mother, also 43, who is British, is understood to have suffered minor physical injuries in the explosion in the centre of the southern European country.

She was reportedly taken to Tomar Hospital with her son, where she is believed to be receiving psychological support. 

The parent is understood to work for Portugal's National Republican Guard (GNR), a military law enforcement force separate from the country's police. 

A GNR officer who attended the scene is also said to have suffered minor injuries in the blast, after they were hit by shards of glass from a smashed window. 

A source from the Santarem district's GNR branch told the Portuguese Lusa news agency it was called at around 12pm to reports of domestic violence. 

They said the force arrived at the property to discover what was described as a homicide followed by a suicide. 

The mother is believed to have called emergency services and cried for help from neighbours, according to Portuguese publication SIC Noticias. 

It came after her ex-partner assaulted her and threw her out of her own house - leaving him inside with her son. 

Officers had reportedly just arrived when the blast happened, which local radio station Hertz has said occurred near Tomar's Casais Church.

The teen and the suspect were both pronounced dead at the scene. 

An autopsy is set to occur, which will determine whether the boy lost his life from the stabbing or the explosion. 

Luis Freire, president of the local parish council for Tomar's Casais and Alviobeira areas, said authorities were aware of previous instances of domestic violence between the former couple. 

Officials were first informed of this in 2023, according to Portuguese media. 

Neighbours have reported the ex-partner regularly visited the mother's house, despite the fact they were separated. 

The Judicial Police, Portugal's criminal investigation unit, are on the scene investigating. 

The road next to the house is closed as forensics teams gather evidence.

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.