Death toll climbs in Portugal's forest fires

SBS World News Radio: The death toll from forest fires in the Portuguese region of Pedrogao Grande has climbed.

Death toll climbs in Portugal's forest fires

Death toll climbs in Portugal's forest fires

The forest fire that started over the weekend is still raging, and has killed at least 62 people, many dying in their cars as they tried to flee.

More than 600 firefighters are still fighting the deadly forest fire, about 200 kilometres north-east of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa says as all possible assistance is being extended.

"All available resources are being mobilised, at the national level and international, to fight the ongoing fires. The judiciary, police teams and the scientific police are working on identifying the victims and the armed forces are reinforcing their presence with a battalions from both the navy and the army on their way to the field."

It's believed a lightning strike may have started the fire.

Rainless thunderstorms and temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius in some areas made for nightmare conditions for firefighters.

Survivor Luisilda Malheiro has described the scene as 'like the end of the world'.

"The hours have been really painful. When I saw the wind it looked like it was a storm and fireworks, and I told my husband this is the end of the world and I put the car inside and went to my bathroom to lie on the ground with masks and I only came out at 3 am."

Many of the dead perished in their cars as they tried to escape the inferno.

Thirty bodies were found inside cars, with another 17 next to their vehicles, on one road leading to a motorway.

Another 11 died in a village next to the motorway.

Prime Minister Costa described the scene.

"All the dead people were in the same road or next to it. During the day there were 156 fires in the country. Right now 11 are still active and two of them are particularly problematic."

Portugal's neighbours are lending support.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted "solidarity with Portugal, hit by terrible fires. Our thoughts are with victims. France makes its aid available to Portugal."

France has offered three firefighting planes while Spain has already sent two water-bombing aircraft.

The EU has also promised to provide firefighting aircraft.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis led thousands of people in silent prayer.

"I express my closeness to the beloved people of Portugal for the devastating fire which is in the forest around Pedrogao Grande, which has resulted in many victims and injured. Let us pray in silence."

 






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Published 19 June 2017 12:00pm

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