A statement from the national police said 46-year-old Caeiro died instantly when a large tree hit the 4WD Hilux around 11:am near the Cribas coffee plantation. 

American nationals and long-term resident of Timor-Leste, Daniel Gloshin and German national Ruth Klaasje, were also killed instantly. A further two unidentified people travelling in the car remain in critical condition at Guido Valadares National Hospital in Dili.

 Caeiro worked for 15 years with the Ministry of Tourism, becoming the National Director in 2012 and General Director in 2016.

 Gloshan, was a photojournalist and the Founding Director of sustainable international tourism organization, the Hummingfish Foundation.

Amongst the hundreds of condolences on social media towards the trio, former Timor-Leste President, Jose Ramos Horta, posted on Facebook on Saturday: “Dan was a wonderful human being, compassionate, completely devoted to helping the poor people of Timor-Leste.”