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Waterbombing plane fighting huge wildfire crashes in central Portugal Confusion over reports of Portugal wildfire plane crash as chaos plagues operations
(about 7 hours later)
A waterbomber plane fighting the huge wildfire in central Portugal has crashed, according to local media reports. The Canadair plane came down in Louriceira in Pedrogao Grande, where the fire is at its most fierce. Local media reports that a water-bombing plane fighting the huge wildfire in central Portugal crashed Tuesday have been denied by authorities in charge of operations in the region following a helicopter search.
"I myself thought that a Canadair had fallen," Prime Minister António Costa said of the confusion, as cited by Publico.
An Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM) helicopter is on its way to the scene, TVI reports, as cited by Publico. "I have no information that any airplane working for civil protection has crashed," said Victor Vaz Pinto, commander of the civil protection agency, as cited by Reuters.
There have been no confirmed reports of casualties. Vaz Pinto added that an explosion in the vicinity may have been caused by flammable containers left behind in the evacuation.
The plane went down between Picha and Ouzenda, Observador reported. The area is near the border with the municipality of Gois, Publico reports. A Canadair plane reportedly came down in Louriceira in Pedrogao Grande, where the fire is at its most fierce. An Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM) helicopter was dispatched to the scene, TVI reports, as cited by Publico.
According to TSF, Canadair usually have two crew on board in firefighting operations. There have been no confirmed reports of casualties from any plane crash as the battle against the wildfire continues.
READ MORE: Full extent of Portugal’s wildfire that killed 62 as seen from space (PHOTOS)READ MORE: Full extent of Portugal’s wildfire that killed 62 as seen from space (PHOTOS)
Emergency services are continuing to battle the wildfire which began Saturday and has so far left 64 dead.
There are 17 planes and four helicopters involved in the fight against the blaze, according to Publico.
The Spanish Air Force has confirmed on Twitter that the plane is not part of their operations.