Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Inferno in Portugal: Firefighters Trapped in the Flames

Portugal's forest fires are growing in scope hour by hour. At least seven people have died, including three firefighters who were surrounded by the sea of flames on Tuesday. Another 50 people have been injured, according to local media.

» Updated: 08 October 2024, 24:24

» Published: 18 September 2024

Inferno in Portugal: Firefighters Trapped in the Flames
Photo: Bruno Fonseca/AP/TT

Around 50 fires are raging in northern and central Portugal. Roads have been cut off and houses have burned down. As the fires spread, several villages have been evacuated and schools have been closed.

The situation is out of control. We can't fight fires of this kind. There are no words to describe it, says a panicked resident in Medas outside Porto, where the flames are now just a few meters from the village, to the newspaper Correio da Manhã.

As much as 100,000 hectares may already have been consumed by the fire, according to Portuguese media. Since Wednesday, a "state of chaos" – one of the highest levels on Portugal's scale of emergency – has been declared in the hardest-hit areas. 200,000 people live in areas at risk of burning down, according to the EU's climate service Copernicus.

Several of the fires are described in Portuguese media as extremely difficult to control. The fire hazards are exacerbated by a heatwave coinciding with unusually low humidity and strong winds.

On Wednesday, neighboring country Spain sent 230 firefighters to help, reports Spanish EFE.

Portugal has doubled its budget for firefighting since the 2017 giant fires, which cost over 120 people their lives. According to experts, the Iberian Peninsula is particularly vulnerable to global warming, with recurring heatwaves and drought, writes AFP.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Musk helped Trump - what does he get in return?
3 MIN READ

Musk helped Trump - what does he get in return?

Attack on hospital in Ukraine – several dead
1 MIN READ

Attack on hospital in Ukraine – several dead

Zelensky: Concessions are unacceptable
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: Concessions are unacceptable

The Mastermind Behind 9/11 Gets a Deal with the USA
1 MIN READ

The Mastermind Behind 9/11 Gets a Deal with the USA

UN Soldiers Injured in Attack in Lebanon
1 MIN READ

UN Soldiers Injured in Attack in Lebanon

Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine: No NATO for 20 Years
2 MIN READ

Trump's Peace Plan for Ukraine: No NATO for 20 Years

Biden: Has congratulated Trump on his victory
1 MIN READ

Biden: Has congratulated Trump on his victory

Canada in dispute with Tiktok - "national security"
1 MIN READ

Canada in dispute with Tiktok - "national security"

Europe after the Trump election: We must do more
3 MIN READ

Europe after the Trump election: We must do more

Harris Turned His Back: "Didn't Stop the Genocide"
2 MIN READ

Harris Turned His Back: "Didn't Stop the Genocide"

Israel buys new fighter jets from Boeing
1 MIN READ

Israel buys new fighter jets from Boeing

Multiple deaths in Israeli attack in Lebanon
2 MIN READ

Multiple deaths in Israeli attack in Lebanon

Demands No Confidence: "Scholz's Coalition is History"
2 MIN READ

Demands No Confidence: "Scholz's Coalition is History"

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration
1 MIN READ

Iran: Trump's Victory Chance of Reconsideration

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud
1 MIN READ

The demand to Georgia: Investigate election fraud

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall
2 MIN READ

Democrats Fume: Biden's Arrogance Was Our Downfall

Two states are still counting their votes
1 MIN READ

Two states are still counting their votes

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now
3 MIN READ

The Charges Against Trump – What Happens Now

Struggle for Power in Congress
3 MIN READ

Struggle for Power in Congress

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"
1 MIN READ

Xi wants a stable relationship with the USA in the "new era"