Portugal is observing three days of national mourning after the wildfire which broke out on Saturday night around the town of Pedrógão Grande. This is by far the deadliest Portuguese wildfire in the country’s history and quickly approaching number ten of the top 10 largest wildfires in the world.
Scorching weather, with temperatures topping 40°C, as well as dry thunderstorms preceding the event may have ignited some fires that began in the Pedrógão Grande municipality before spreading dramatically. The National Director of the Judiciary Police, Almeida Rodrigues, has stated that the Police, along with the National Republican Guard, have since found the tree that was struck by lightning, starting the fire.
More than 1,700 firefighters in the central region of Portugal are still combating the major wildfires of the country, where one blaze has already taken the life of 62 people. Reinforcements are due to arrive today, including more water-dropping planes from France, Spain, and Italy, as part of a European Union co-operation programme.
Firefighters work to put out a fire near Bouça
Photograph: Rafael Marchante/Reuters
Flames engulf a highway in Pedrógão
Photograph: Paulo Cunha/EPA
Firefighters work to prevent a fire from reaching the village of Avelar
Photograph: Armando Franca/AP
Firefighters work to prevent a fire reaching the village of Avelar
Photograph: Armando Franca/AP
Many people died in their cars while trying to escape the flames in the Pedrógão Grande area, according to government sources.
Burnt cars block the road between Castanheira de Pera and Figueiro dos Vinhos, central Portugal, pictured today. The prime minister António Costa has called the fire 'the biggest tragedy of human life that we have known in years'
Portuguese Republican National Guard soldiers battle with a forest fire in Capela Sao Neitel, Alvaiazere, central Portugal
Portugal has been experiencing soaring temperatures of up to 40 degrees and this, coupled with the wind, has been fueling the flames. Some 600 - 700 firefighters have been fighting the blaze, helped by Spanish rescuers
Fire and smoke is seen on the IC8 motorway during a forest fire near Pedrogao Grande, in central Portugal today
Rodrigo is the first known victim to have lost his life. The boy, four years old, who lived in Lisbon, was staying with his uncle Sidel Belchior, 37, while his parents were abroad on their honeymoon in Cape Verde when the tragedy occurred. Three other children aged three to six are also believed to be among the dead.
Four brave firefighters were ‘badly hurt’ while battling the ferocious blaze
A plane passes by thick clouds of smoke after picking up water to put out the forest fires
Chilling drone footage shows destruction of deadly Portugal fire