Portugal Forest Fires Kill 62

A catastrophic forest fire in Portugal has claimed at least 62 lives, officials say.

Many died while trying to flee the Pedrogao Grande area, 50 km (30 miles) southeast of Coimbra, in their cars, according to the government.

Several firefighters are among the 59 people injured, BBC reported.

"Unfortunately this seems to be the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in terms of forest fires," said Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

The death toll could rise further, he said.

Secretary of State for the Interior Jorge Gomes said three people died from smoke inhalation and 18 people travelling in four cars died on the road linking Figueiro dos Vinhos to Castanheira de Pera.

Media in Portugal said the fire is no closer to being contained despite about 600 firefighters working to put them out.

Among the 59 injured was an eight-year-old girl with burns found wandering alone close to the fire, the Correio do Manha newspaper reported.

Six firefighters are seriously wounded, national broadcaster RTP said, and two are reported missing.

Correio do Manha warned that many areas hit by the fire had not yet been reached by authorities, so the death toll was likely to increase.

About 60 forest fires broke out across the country overnight, with close to 1,700 firefighters battling them across Portugal.

The flames spread "with great violence" on four fronts near Pedrogao Grande, Gomes said.

Spain has sent two water-bombing planes to help tackle the fires.

It is not yet known what caused the fire, though Costa said thunderstorms could have been one possible cause.

Portugal has been experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures of more than 40C (104F) in some areas.

"This is a region that has had fires because of its forests, but we cannot remember a tragedy of these proportions," said Valdemar Alves, the mayor of Pedrogao Grande, was quoted as saying by AP.

"I am completely stunned by the number of deaths."