Prime Minister, ANTÓNIO COSTA described the blaze in the Pedrógão Grande area as the worst tragedy in terms of human lives Portugal has known in recent years.
Secretary of State for internal administration in Portugal, JORGE GOMES said at least twenty-two people had died in their cars, trapped by the flames.
In the meantime, the Portuguese government has declared three days of mourning to commemorate the victims, and tributes have poured in for those killed and those firefighters still battling to save other people.
Last August, Portugal was also hit by devastating fires, including on the Madeira islands, in the Atlantic, where the flames reached the main city, Funchal.
