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| Situation Update No. 1 Ref.no.: FF-20100220-25007-PRT
Situation Update No. 1
On 2010-02-20 at 18:23:38 [UTC]
Event: Flash Flood
Location: Portugal Island of Madeira
Number of Deads: 31 person(s)
Number of Injured: 60 person(s)
Situation: At least 31 people have been killed by mudslides on the Portuguese island of Madeira after by torrential rain caused flooding. Over 60 people were treated in hospital, state-run Lusa news agency said. Portuguese Interior Minister Rui Pereira, who is preparing to fly to the island, said the civil protection service had reported '25 confirmed deaths up until now'. It was not immediately clear whether any tourists were among the dead. The Portuguese government is considering whether to declare a state of emergency in the region. Television footage showed powerful streams of water and mud invading the streets of Madeira's capital Funchal, dragging and overturning cars and felling trees. 'We're overwhelmed by calls from people asking for help after the torrential rains,' a duty officer at the civil protection service said. Homes have been destroyed by the floods and electricity and phone links have also been cut. Rescue efforts have been hampered by winds exceeding 100 kilometres an hour, high seas and blocked roads. Weathermen have said the worst of the storm is over. In Funchal, the airport has been closed and the city's mayor advised residents to stay at home. Prime Minister Jose Socrates expressed his 'profound shock' at the size of the calamity affecting Madeira. Authorities have promised to organise aid for the autonomous region. The island is a popular holiday destination for British tourists, which is located 560 miles southwest of the Portuguese mainland. |  | | | |
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