Tragedy struck in Portugal early Wednesday when an altercation led to the death of an American tourist and left another severely injured. The deadly encounter followed a heated argument that spiraled out of control.

The violent incident took place around 3 a.m. in Cascais, a coastal town situated roughly 20 miles west of Lisbon. As reported by the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, the victims were on their way back to their hotel when the situation turned fatal.

The Portuguese Judicial Police revealed that the situation began as a verbal dispute between the two tourists and three suspects, which quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. During the clash, one of the suspects reportedly retrieved a knife from his car.

Officials stated that the suspect attacked the tourists, inflicting multiple stab wounds to their faces, arms, and backs, before escaping the scene. The brutal attack left one tourist dead and another fighting for their life.

The attacker “struck the victims several times in the face, arms, and back” before fleeing the scene, officials said.

Paramedics from Portugal’s National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) arrived and attempted to revive one of the men, but his stab wounds were severe and had pierced vital organs.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

First responders transported the second victim — who suffered deep cuts to his face and arms — to Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon.

His condition was initially critical but has since been upgraded to stable, hospital officials told CNN.

The victims’ identities have not been publicly released.

The surviving victim told police the three suspects approached “without any prior interaction,” and that one of the men “provocatively tried to touch the victim’s hat,” police told Correio da Manhã.

When he told them to stop, one of the suspects allegedly punched him in the face, sparking the attack.

Following the attack, the man said he contacted his fiancé, who was at a nightclub close by, for help.

Authorities announced Thursday that they arrested the suspect accused of the stabbings. Investigators have ruled out robbery as the motive, as well as any link to a hate crime.

After identifying the group involved, investigators charged only one suspect — a 23-year-old Portuguese man with no criminal record who reportedly works at a nearby bar. Authorities said they are continuing to collect evidence as the investigation progresses.

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News the agency “takes seriously its commitment to protect US citizens abroad” and stands ready to provide consular assistance.

The current travel advisory level for Portugal is at a 1, meaning visitors should exercise normal precautions while in the European country.

The fatal stabbing in Portugal comes just days after the State Department issued a revised travel advisory for the Republic of the Maldives on Oct. 7, warning that “terrorist groups may attack with little or no warning,” including on remote islands where emergency response times may be delayed.

with Post wires