The Portuguese government declared a situation of “calamity” in the country on Tuesday. municipalities affected by fires in the north and centre of the countrywho since the weekend They left seven dead and thousands of hectares burnedAveiro remains the most affected region, while Prime Minister Luis Montenegro does not rule out resorting to the European Union (EU) Solidarity Fund.
Among the dead were four firefighters and three civilians. Three of the firefighters from Vila Nova de Oliveirinha, in Tábua, died while on their way to fight a fire in the municipality, dAfter his vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Regarding the measurement of the calamity situation, it was decided in an extraordinary council of ministers to be able to give “Immediate and urgent support” for those affected by the fires and maintain the entire combat operation, Montenegro explained after the meeting. The calamity situation is a legal figure that, in Portugal, can be applied to major disasters to be adopted. exceptional measures aimed at preventingact or restore normality.
Montenegro explained that it would endeavour to provide accommodation and essential goods for evacueess, as well as financial support, for which an analysis of the damage caused by the fire, which devastated homes and businesses, is underway. In addition, he did not rule out resorting to the EU Solidarity Fund and promised a tough line towards citizens who set fires.
“We will not spare our efforts in repression. “We cannot forgive those who have no forgiveness.”assured the Prime Minister, who explained that the Executive has asked the Prosecutor’s Office to create a criminal investigation team on the fires. The National Republican Guard (GNR) announced today that it has arrested seven people for forest fires between September 14 and 17. The Judicial Police has also made several arrests for the same offense.
The Council of Ministers on Tuesday was chaired by the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who stressed that: with combat efforts and predictions that the weather will improveWe can expect that this weekend the situation will be “very far” from what has been experienced in recent days.
Aveiro remains the most affected area. Likewise, two nursing homes in Águeda were evacuated, as well as a hotel in Oliveira de Azeméis and other farms in Oliveira do Hospital, according to Publico. Meanwhile, the area burned in mainland Portugal since Sunday exceeds 62,000 hectares.
