Hundreds leave homes as fires sweep through Portugal

Lisbon, Aug 10: Hundreds of people across mainland Portugal and Madeira were forced to leave their homes due to forest fires which spread rapidly on Tuesday.

Over 940 firefighters are on the ground to fight the forest fires, Xinhua quoted local media reports as saying.

In Madeira, hundreds of people left their homes and two fire fighters were injured.

On Tuesday evening, the government is sending a fire fighting force to the Madeira regions affected, Prime Minister Antonio Costa was quoted as saying.

Mayor of Funchal Paulo Cafofo told local media that people are being forced to leave the areas of Babosas and Curral dos Romeiros.

The Hotel Choupana Hills has also been evacuated due to the fire, which has been spreading due to strong wind.

Earlier on Tuesday, President of the Regional Government of Madeira Miguel Albuquerque said two firefighters were injured and needed hospital assistance.

Despite the alarming figures of people affected the government of Madeira said the fires were under control.

Other fires have raged in the past days through mainland Portugal affecting regions like Aveiro, Viseu, Leiria, Portalegre and Viana do Castelo.

IANS