portugal burning as forest fires kill
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Portugal’s central region continues to burn as firefighters battle a deadly inferno, which has killed at least 62 people to date.
The blaze that erupted in the municipality of Pedrógão Grandeas is believed to have been caused by a lightening strike.
President says Portugal’s pain “knows no end” after dozens killed by forest fires https://t.co/Gq2jEVTLCm pic.twitter.com/quvfB67v9t
— Metro News Canada (@MetroNewsCanada) June 19, 2017
Many of the victims died in their cars as they attempted to flee the flames.
The government has announced three days of national mourning.
There are complications for the fire service as
operations commander Elísio Oliveira explains: “There are places where we do not have access. The fact that we cannot fly carry out air operations makes the firefight more difficult. We will continue our operations throughout the day, with 900 battling on the ground.”
Chinese president expresses condolences over Portugal forest fires https://t.co/pjV4ypRVPJ pic.twitter.com/1ik35lDN2D
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) June 19, 2017
The government has been criticised for not closing the road on which 47 people died, but admitted that the huge blaze had led to a breakdown in communications.
Highly exposed to global warming’s climate-altering impacts, Portugal is likely to see more massive forest fires https://t.co/7a2TKcDsfE pic.twitter.com/mfHlbhZjSG
— Svein T veitdal (@tveitdal) June 19, 2017
Euronews correspondent in Portugal is Filipa Soares:“The central zone of Portugal is still shrouded in a cloud of ashes and one can also sense a strong burning smell. There are showers of sparks that hinders not only breathing but means it is difficult to remain outdoors.