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Nine injured as 1,000 firefighters battle wildfires in Portugal

21 July 2019 14:45 (UTC +04:00)

About 1,000 firefighters are tackling wildfires spreading in east Portugal, which have injured at least nine people,APA reports citing ABC News.

Portugal's Civil Protection Authority said firefighters were working to contain the blazes, which broke out on Saturday across three fronts in the district of Castelo Branco, 124 miles (200km) north east of the capital Lisbon.

Authorities said one injured civilian was taken to hospital and firefighters were being supported by 10 firefighting aircraft as well as hundreds of vehicles.

The other injured people have all been firefighters. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Portuguese president, said he would be in contact with the mayors in the affected areas.

A statement on the presidential website said: "Aware of adverse weather conditions, the President of the Republic conveys all solidarity to the men and women who fight them, as well as to the most directly affected populations, accompanied by all the Portuguese."

Strong winds have made it more difficult for firefighters to tackle the blaze, but authorities said they hoped to have them under control soon.