At least 24 hurt as Portugal forest fire rages
Residents are evacuated by police from the village of Monchique in the Portuguese region of Algarve. Photo: AFP/Getty
At least 24 people have been injured in a fire raging across the south Portuguese region of Algarve, according to local media.
A 72-year-old woman was injured so badly that she had to be flown to a hospital in Lisbon by helicopter, the newspaper Publico reported on Monday.
The fire in the mountainous region near the town of Monchique still isn’t under control, the newspaper reported on Monday, citing emergency services.
Helicopters at the pool. Monchique (N 37º 19' 11'' W 008º 33' 09''), Currently combating two fronts of forest fire.1085 firefighters, 2 planes, 5 helicopters, 317 firetrucks #monchique #Algarve #Fire #Portugal #wildfire #helicopter #plane #update pic.twitter.com/lKCbYjnRYK
— Massena Music (@MassenaOfficial) August 6, 2018
In a region popular with European holidaymakers, several places had to be evacuated, including at least one hotel complex.
In the town of #Monchique #fire #Portugal pic.twitter.com/u6V90NKXKL
— Sam T (@samtiley) August 5, 2018
More than 1000 emergency service members with 300 vehicles and an aeroplane were fighting the blaze.
Portugal has been hit by an extreme heatwave in recent days, with record temperatures measured at the weekend at several locations.
The highest temperature was recorded on Saturday in the town of Alvega, which reached 46.8 degrees Celsius, according to media reports.
The fires in Portugal are being flamed by 46-degree temperatures. Photo: AFP/Getty
