25 June, 2017
Such storms are frequent when falling water evaporates before reaching the ground because of high temperatures.
More than 50 fires are said to be burning across the country involving about 2,000 firefighters after intense heat combined with strong winds to fan the flames.
European countries are coming together to assist Portugal. "Something extraordinary has taken place and we have to wait for technicians to properly determine its causes".
Sunday evening the death toll stood at 62 with 62 injured, including eight firemen.
Nearly 24 hours after the deaths on Saturday night, fires were still churning across the forested hillsides of central Portugal.
Portugal has been coping with a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several regions.
Firefighters still battling a huge forest fire yesterday.
"There are people who arrived saying they didn't want to die in their homes, which were surrounded by flames", Ansiao resident Ricardo Tristao told reporters.
Local residents too have stepped in to try to stop the blaze.
"Some people stayed. Now we're waiting to see". Every few miles, I passed burned-out carcasses of cars on the side of the road.
Other locals were also shocked.
I am not ashamed to say it: I was praying, we were all praying.
Schools in the area were closed until further notice and outdoor fires were banned, authorities announced Sunday. At least 18 people died on the N-236, a road linking Figueiro dos Vinhos to Castanheira de Pera, according to Secretary of State for the Interior Jorge Gomes.
"Many cars could not get out and people burned to death inside their cars", said Gomes. In what remained of a door frame, fresh pink flowers were laid in tribute to one car's victims.
Four firefighters are among the 54 people injured in the fire, which is raging in several parts of a mountainous area some 200km north-east of the capital Lisbon.
Mr Costa tweeted his "deepest regret for the victims.and a word of encouragement and strength for all who help combat this scourge".
Large areas of central and northern Portugal are covered in dense woodland and hilly terrain, much of it pine and eucalyptus trees, both of which burn well.
There was no immediate identification of the victims.
The European Union has responded to a call for assistance to Portugal.
Spain dispatched two water-bombing planes on Sunday to aid the Portuguese fire service, Costa said.
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "Solidarity with Portugal, hit by awful fires".
Image Below:Aerial view of a forest fire is seen from the cabin of a Spanish fire fighting plane near Pedrogao Grande, Portugal, June 18, 2017.
"I express my closeness to the dear Portuguese people", said Francis after the recitation of the angelus, "for the devastating fires that are destroying the woods around Pedrógão Grande and causing numerous victims and wounded".
The FCO's travel advice now recommends Britons "avoid travelling to the areas affected by forest fires until the authorities confirm that it is safe to do so".
