Huge forest fires in Portugal kill at least 60 people

At least 60 people* were killed in central Portugal on the 17 June 2017 after a forest fire swept across a roadway near the area of Pedrogao Grande, 50km south-east of Coimbra. Prime Minister Antonio Costa warned that the number of victims could rise.

Spain and France offered immediate fire-fighting and other support. President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said 'My thoughts are with the victims in Portugal. I commend the bravery of the firefighters. EU civil protection mechanism activated and will help'.

* later reports revised this figure to 64 (as on the 20 June 2017)

Deutsche Welle, 18.06.17: Dozens killed in Portugal forest fire http://p.dw.com/p/2esYs

BBC News, 18.06.17: Portugal forest fires kill 57 near Coimbra http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40316934

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, STATEMENT/17/1681: Statement by Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on the deadly forest fires in Portugal http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-1681_en.htm

European Commission: Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection: EU Civil Protection Mechanism http://ec.europa.eu/echo/what/civil-protection/mechanism_en

Deutsche Welle, 18.06.17: 'Greatest tragedy we've witnessed' - Portuguese PM http://p.dw.com/p/2et40

EurActiv, 19.06.17: Raging Portugal forest fires kill dozens http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/raging-portugal-forest-fires-kill-dozens/

European Commission: DG Communication: IP/17/1682, 18.06.17: EU channels extra support for Portugal to help with forest fires http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1682_en.htm

Euro|Topics: Debates, June 2017: The consequences of the forest fires in Portugal http://www.eurotopics.net/en/181047/the-consequences-of-the-forest-fires-in-portugal

Politico, 19.06.17: Portugal’s ‘killer forest’ http://www.politico.eu/article/portugal-fire-eucalyptus-killer-forest/

Website: CELPA (Associação da Indústria Papeleir / Portuguese Paper Industry Association) http://www.celpa.pt/en/

BBC News, 20.06.17: Portugal fire: Soaring temperatures threaten firefighting effort http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40336622

BBC News, 20.06.17: Portugal wildfires: Why are they so deadly? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40341180

The Guardian, 22.06.17: Portugal forest fires under control after more than 60 deaths https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/22/portugal-forest-fires-under-control

The Portugal News, 22.06.17: Deadly forest fire in central Portugal grabs world’s attention http://theportugalnews.com/news/deadly-forest-fire-in-central-portugal-grabs-worlds-attention/42308

El País, 21.06.17: 'There were balls of fire flying through the air' http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/06/20/inenglish/1497960916_705243.html

EUObserver, 14.08.17: Portugal seeks EU help on forest fires https://euobserver.com/tickers/138734

Relief Web, 13.08.17: Portugal - Forest fires (DG ECHO, CNOS) (ECHO Daily Flash of 13 August 2017) http://reliefweb.int/report/portugal/portugal-forest-fires-dg-echo-cnos-echo-daily-flash-13-august-2017

The Independent, 14.08.17: Portugal asks EU for help putting out hundreds of forest fires as temperatures soar http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/portugal-asks-eu-for-help-putting-out-forest-fires-spreading-a7891621.html

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