Posts
Forest
fires kill more than 50 in central Portugal
18
June, 2017
A
forest fire in Portugal has killed at least 57 people, most of them
trapped in cars that were caught in the blaze.
Firefighters
rest during a wildfire at Penela, Coimbra, central
Portugal. Photo: AFP
The
fire, which started yesterday, is still burning out of control and is
already one of the deadliest in Portugal in decades.
It
hit the mountainous area of Pedrogao Grande, 200km south-east of
Lisbon, amid an intense heat wave fanned by strong winds.
Several
firefighters are among the 59 people injured.
It
is not yet known what caused the fire, which has also burnt down
houses in the area.
"Unfortunately
this seems to be the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in
terms of forest fires," said Prime Minister Antonio Costa.
The
death toll could rise further, he said.
Photo: AFP
Secretary
of State for the Interior Jorge Gomes earlier said that three people
died from smoke inhalation and 16 died in their cars on the road
linking Figueiró dos Vinhos to Castanheira de Pera.
About
60 forest fires broke out across the country overnight, with 1700
firefighters working to put them out.
The
flames spread "with great violence" on four fronts, Mr
Gomes said.
Spain
has sent two water-bombing planes to help tackle the fires.
Portugal
has been experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures over 40C in some
areas.
-BBC
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.