The number of victims during forest fires in Pedrógão Grande in Portugal rose to 24 people. Such announcement was made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to Portuguese radio station TSF.
The official Internal Affairs representative Jorge Gomes said that 16 people died in their vehicles.
The radio station reported that the state of emergency was declared. Prime Minister António Costa called the incident "the biggest human tragedy in recent years". It is also informed that 8 generators will be used to provide civilian population with power supply in the area.
According to Gomes, fire has four very strong directions. He added that over 306 firemen and 101 vehicles were mobilized to extinguish the fire.
