Huge Portugal forest fires kill 57, injure dozens

PENELA, Portugal: 57 people, most of whom burnt to death in their cars, and injured scores of others, the government said Sunday.

to tackle the blaze, which broke out in the afternoon in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande, about 50 kilometers from Coimbra, before spreading fast across several fronts.

“Unfortunately this seems to be the greatest tragedy we have seen 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 people who could still be in danger.”

Portugal was sweltering under a severe heatwave Saturday, with temperatures

Secretary of State for the Interior Jorge Gomes said 57 people burned to At least 59 were injured.

taken by surprise.”

AFP PHOTO FOREST INFERNO A wildfire that killed dozens of people is reflected in a stream at Penela, Coimbra, central Portugal.