Lisbon 18 Jun (ANA) - A catastrophic forest fire in Portugal has claimed at least 62 lives, officials say. Most died while trying to flee the Pedrógão Grande area, 50 km (30 miles) south-east of Coimbra, in their cars, according to the government. Several firefighters are among the more than 50 people injured. "Unfortunately this seems to be the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in terms of forest fires," said Prime Minister Antonio Costa. The death toll could rise further, he said. The authorities have declared three days of national mourning, starting on Sunday. Secretary of State for the Interior Jorge Gomes said that 30 of those who died were found inside cars, with another 17 next to the vehicles, on one road leading on to the IC8 motorway. Another 11 died in a village next to the motorway, Mr Gomes said. Media in Portugal said the fire is no closer to being contained despite about 600 firefighters working to put it out. Among the dozens of people injured was an eight-year-old girl with burns found wandering alone close to the fire, the Correio do Manhã newspaper reported.(ANA)

FA/ANA/18 June 2017