Days of mourning for death toll in raging blaze

PORTUGAL has declared three days of national mourning as more than 900 firefighters and 280 vehicles battle raging forest fires that have killed at least 62 people and left another 62 injured.

The fire erupted on Saturday in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande in central Portugal, apparently caused by a lightning strike, and spread furiously in several directions.

“The fire has reached a level of human tragedy that we have never seen before,” said a visibly moved Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

“We will certainly find other victims on the ground.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “I am shocked and horrified by the many lives claimed by today’s devastating fires. The United Nations stands ready to assist in any way possible.”

The expanse of wooded hills in the area north of Lisbon, which 24 hours before had glowed bright green with eucalyptus plants and pine trees, was gutted by the flames.

A thick layer of white smoke hovered over either side of a motorway for about 20km, as blackened trees leaned listlessly over charred soil.

Police chief Almeida Rodrigues blamed dry thunderstorms for the blaze, ruling out arson, and saying a tree had been struck by lightning.

Local resident Isabel Ferreira, 62, said: “Everything burnt very quickly given the strong winds. The flames passed within two or three kilometres of my house.”

Portugal was sweltering under a heatwave over the weekend, with temperatures topping 40C in several regions.

More than 140 forest fires were still burning across the country, with France and Spain sending waterbombing planes to help put them out.