Dozens dead in Portugese forest fires

Portugal has declared three days of mourning after 61 people were killed in raging forest fires. Many of those killed died while trapped in their cars as huge flames swept over a road.

A lightning strike is believed to have sparked the initial blaze in the Pedrogao Grande area after investigators found a tree that was hit during a “dry thunderstorm”.

Such storms are frequent when falling water evaporates before reaching the ground because of high temperatures.