Portugal fires kill more than 20 people

LISBON, Portugal — More than 20 people have been killed in forest fires in central Portugal, many of them trapped in their cars as flames swept over a road, officials said early today.

Portuguese radio station TSF, citing the Interior Ministry, said 25 people had been killed in blazes in the Pedrogao Grande area about 95 miles northeast of Lisbon. Some 600 firefighters were trying to put out the fires, which started Saturday.

Interior Ministry official Jorge Gomes said 16 people died in their cars on a road between the towns of Figueiro dos Vinhos and Castanheira de Pera and three people died from smoke inhalation in Figueiro dos Vinhos.

Public broadcaster Radio and Television of Portugal said about 20 people were injured, including six firefighters. Fourteen of the injured were in serious condition, the broadcaster said.

The fire broke out during a heat wave in Portugal, with temperatures exceeding 104 degrees in several regions.

Prime Minister Antonio Costa said evacuation procedures have been put in place for some nearby villages. Spain dispatched two water-bombing planes early this morning to aid the Portuguese fire service, Costa said.

President Marcelo Rebelo went to the region to meet families of the victims, “sharing their pain in the name of all the Portuguese people,” he said.