Portugal says forest fires death toll climbs to 57

Raging forest fires in central Portugal kill at least 57 people, most of whom burnt to death in their cars, and injured scores of others, the government says.

Nearly 600 firefighters and 160 vehicles were dispatched late last night to tackle the blaze, which broke out in the afternoon in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Coimbra, before spreading fast across several fronts.

Portugal was sweltering under a severe heatwave across the weekend, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several regions.

Some 60 forest fires broke out across the country during the night, with around 1,700 firefighters battling to put them out.

The European Union says it would provide firefighting planes following a request from Lisbon.

— AFP