Forest fire in Portugal kills 62 people and leaves more than 50 injured

According to reports,forest fire broke out over night in the country near the University of Coimbra killing about 62 people.Those who died were reported to have been trapped in their cars and also trapped on the road linking Figueiro dos Vinhos and Castanheira de Pera.


The fire started in the village of Escalos Fundeiros on Saturday night spreading rapidly with great force which saw close to 1,700 firefighters battling the blaze.Among those injured were six firefighters.

According to Prime Minister Antonio Costa,the death toll is expected to rise.

''Unfortunately this seems to be the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in terms of forest fires,the death toll could rise further.''

Reports states that about 30 people were found inside their cars dead while 17 others were seen close to the vehicles on the IC8 motorway and about 11 others died in a village close to the motorway.The death toll is expected to increase as areas mostly affected have not been reached by rescuers.

The cause of the forest fire is not known but local authorities are attributing it to thunderstorms.The Mayor of Peodrógão Grande,Valdemar Alves said thus:

''This is a region that has had fires because of its forest but we cannot remember a tragedy of these proportions.I am completely stunned by the number of deaths.''