The European Union announced on Monday the mobilisation of eight amphibious aircraft to help with the work fire extinguishing which affect the region of Aveiroin the north of Portugal.
The fire, which broke out less than 24 hours ago, has already gone out three deceased and almost 20 injureds, three of them in serious condition. And more than 3,000 soldiers are working to put out more than thirty fires.
After the Portuguese authorities activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the bloc deployed eight air assets, including strategic reserve aircraft in SpainOther media outlets located in France, Italy and Greece also took action.
“In response to Portugal’s request for assistance today to combat serious forest fires“We are mobilising the deployment of firefighting aircraft through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism,” Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic confirmed in a message on social media.
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen highlighted the role of France, Greece, Italy and Spain in the rapid response to the natural disaster in Portugal. “This is European solidarity in its purest form,” she said in another message.
