Huge forest fires in Portugal kill 62
At least 62 people have been killed in huge forest fires in central Portugal, many dying in their cars as they tried to flee the flames, officials say.
Most died while trying to flee the Pedrógão Grande area, 50 km (30 miles) south-east of Coimbra, in their cars, according to the government.
The death toll released by Jorge Gomes, the secretary of state for internal affairs, has gradually climbed from the 46 initially announced late on Saturday.
Prime Minister António Costa described the blaze as “the worst tragedy in terms of human lives that we’ve known in recent years.”
Portugal on Sunday declared three days of national mourning.
Firefighters were still fighting the flames Sunday.
The municipality’s Mayor, Valdemar Alves, said there were areas “completely surrounded” by the blaze and not enough firefighters to battle the flames.
“The violence of this fire was such that I am certain many people have died,” Alves told TVI. “I am shocked with this death toll.”
About 1,700 firefighters and 160 vehicles were dispatched late on Saturday to tackle about 60 forest fires, which started in the afternoon before spreading fast across several fronts.
Several houses were destroyed by the flames. Portuguese television showed people scrambling to leave their homes in the early hours of Sunday morning, escorted by firefighters and other rescue teams. Huge flames engulfed hamlets around the area.
