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| ‘Biggest tragedy in years’: At least 43 killed, 59 injured in Portugal forest fires (PHOTOS) | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A major forest fire sweeping through central Portugal has led to at least 43 fatalities, with 59 more people injured, Interior Ministry official Jorge Gomes said, adding that many were burnt to death in their cars while making a desperate attempt to flee. | A major forest fire sweeping through central Portugal has led to at least 43 fatalities, with 59 more people injured, Interior Ministry official Jorge Gomes said, adding that many were burnt to death in their cars while making a desperate attempt to flee. |
| Earlier Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa confirmed 24 deaths, adding that “the number of fatalities could still rise.” | Earlier Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa confirmed 24 deaths, adding that “the number of fatalities could still rise.” |
| Secretary of State of Internal Administration Jorge Gomes said that about 600 firefighters have been trying to put out the fires since Saturday. | Secretary of State of Internal Administration Jorge Gomes said that about 600 firefighters have been trying to put out the fires since Saturday. |
| He reported that at least 18 people were “burned to death in their cars,” while several others died from smoke inhalation. | He reported that at least 18 people were “burned to death in their cars,” while several others died from smoke inhalation. |
| Six firefighters have been injured, Gomes added. | Six firefighters have been injured, Gomes added. |
| Eighteen of the 59 injured are being treated in hospitals in Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto, Gomes said, as cited by local media. | |
| “This is a region that has had fires because of its forests, but we cannot remember a tragedy of these proportions,” said Valdemar Alves, mayor of Pedrogao Grande. “I am completely stunned by the number of deaths.” | “This is a region that has had fires because of its forests, but we cannot remember a tragedy of these proportions,” said Valdemar Alves, mayor of Pedrogao Grande. “I am completely stunned by the number of deaths.” |
| The country’s prime minister has called it “the biggest tragedy of human life that we have known in years.” | The country’s prime minister has called it “the biggest tragedy of human life that we have known in years.” |
| The source of the fire, which broke out at around 2pm local time on Saturday, is so far unknown, but will be determined “in due course,” PM Costa added. | The source of the fire, which broke out at around 2pm local time on Saturday, is so far unknown, but will be determined “in due course,” PM Costa added. |
| Since noon on Saturday when the fire started in a mountainous area of the central Leiria district, measuring some 128 square kilometers, it has spilled over to another three municipalities: Castanheira de Per in Leiria, Figueiro dos Vinhos, and Gois. | Since noon on Saturday when the fire started in a mountainous area of the central Leiria district, measuring some 128 square kilometers, it has spilled over to another three municipalities: Castanheira de Per in Leiria, Figueiro dos Vinhos, and Gois. |
| The blaze has been exacerbated by extremely high temperatures, which have gone as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). | The blaze has been exacerbated by extremely high temperatures, which have gone as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). |
| “The fire continues with four active fronts, very violent, very strong, and reinforcements are continuing to arrive,” Gomes said on Saturday, while enacting an emergency civil protection plan in Leiria. He said that a field hospital and an additional mortuary have been set up as part of the effort. | “The fire continues with four active fronts, very violent, very strong, and reinforcements are continuing to arrive,” Gomes said on Saturday, while enacting an emergency civil protection plan in Leiria. He said that a field hospital and an additional mortuary have been set up as part of the effort. |
| Costa said the government’s main priority for now is “to save people who could still be in danger” and contain the fire. | Costa said the government’s main priority for now is “to save people who could still be in danger” and contain the fire. |
| President of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker expressed condolences to the victims’ families on his Twitter. He also promised to provide help through an EU civil protection mechanism. |