Huge forest fires kill 62 in Portugal

PENELA (Portugal): Raging forest fires in central Portugal have killed at least 62 people, most of whom burnt to death in their cars, and injured scores of others, the government said yesterday.

Nearly 600 firefighters and 160 vehicles were dispatched late Saturday to tackle the blaze, that broke out in the afternoon in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande, about 50km from Coimbra, before spreading fast across several fronts.

“Unfortunately, this seems to be the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in terms of forest fires,” a visibly moved Prime Minister Antonio Costa said.

“The number of fatalities could still rise,” he said at the Civil Protection headquarters near Lisbon. “The priority now is to save those who could still be in danger.”

The European Union said it would provide firefighting planes following a request from Lisbon.

Portugal was sweltering under a severe heatwave on Saturday, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several regions.

Some 60 forest fires broke out across the country during the night, with around 1,700 firefighters battling to put them out.

Secretary of State for the Interior Jorge Gomes said 62 people burned to death, mostly trapped in their cars engulfed by flames in the Leiria region. At least 50 were injured.

Costa said a period of national mourning would be announced soon. – AFP