France has already sent two Canadians to Portugal.
Northern Portugal has been witnessing violent fires since the beginning of the weekend. 26 homes currently active They threaten homes while 5,000 Portuguese firefighters are mobilized in the country, assisted by about forty air assets.
Many homes have already been burned, roads blocked and people evacuated. The country has been placed on “alert” because the fire risk is considered “very high” or “maximum” depending on the region, due to forecasts of high temperatures. high temperatures And strong winds.
region“Aveiro.”in villages near the municipality of Albergaria-a-Velha particularly affected. “I panicked, I ran home, I've never seen that before. Planes can't fly on smoke.“(Even) the great Canadair”One resident explained to BFMTV.
Eight aircraft were mobilized.
Monday, September 16, Portugal “Request for support from the European Civil Protection Mechanism” For the purpose ofGet four pairs of amphibious aircraft. To extinguish the fires, the country has about thirty planes or helicopters.
“We will urgently mobilize eight firefighting aircraft.”advertise on social network France, Greece, Italy, Spain Because of their “quick reaction”.
The European Union stands by Portugal in its fight against major forest fires.
We are urgently mobilizing 8 firefighting aircraft through our civil protection mechanism to assist local first responders.
I thank France, Greece, Italy and Spain for their quick reaction.
This is EU solidarity at its best.– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 16, 2024
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who had cancelled his commitments until Tuesday, said in a statement that he was following up on the matter. “Firefighting Coordination” And he stayed there “In contact with its European partners.”
He also called on residents of the areas affected by the fires to “Follow the instructions of the security services”
Two dead and several wounded
The fires have so far killed two people and injured several others, according to the latest report from the Civil Protection Services.
Someone is charred dead While the last victim was heart attackThe National Civil Protection Authority told local media.
One of the victims was a 28-year-old Brazilian who worked for a forestry company. He was Trapped in the fire While he was trying to recover the tools, according to a press release from the Gendarmerie, reported by Lusa.
A volunteer firefighter was injured on Sunday while battling a fire near Oliveira de Azemés, in the Aveiro region (north), died “suddenly” During the meal break, inform the Ministry of Interior.
