Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed in central Portugal on Tuesday.

The boy, named locally as British national Alfie Hallett, died in the parish of Casais in Tomar after being found with "several injuries caused by a bladed weapon".

According to Portuguese police a suspect was found with similar injuries and died in a possible gas explosion, which also injured one of the National Republican Guard (GNR) officers. The suspect is the former partner of the boy's mother, police added.

The UK Foreign Office said it was "in contact with local authorities following an incident in Portugal".

Alfie's basketball club, Sport Club Operario Cem Soldos (SCOCS), paid tribute to him in a post on Facebook.

"SCOCS BASKETBALL has just become poorer today," it said. "Our athlete Alfie passed away today at the age of 13.

"He played his last game on Saturday, played so well that it seemed like he knew it was his last game but far from imagining it.

"We want to tell you how much we love you and that you will always be in our hearts. Rest in peace."

Police said the mother was found by authorities showing signs of having been restrained and assaulted.

She was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for her injuries, police added.

"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," a spokesperson said.

Portuguese TV news channel SIC Notícias reported that the mother and child are British.

However, it is reported the suspect was a Portuguese citizen.

The Criminal Investigation Department of Leiria is leading the investigation into the two deaths. (BBC)

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