Moscovici told Portuguese media that the European Commission is aware of the tragedy regarding the fires which devastated the country over the last months and would provide budgetary assistance, at the conference on economic convergence after hearing the Portuguese prime minister speak. He said that the commission received the Portuguese draft budget and it noticed a significant improvement.

The commissioner also said that it had discussed how to bolster the Portuguese Civil protection tools and would present legislative proposals at its weekly meeting on Wednesday.

Hundreds of fires broke out on Sunday, the worst day for blazes, killed scores and caused the evacuation of some towns and villages and the rehousing of the affected people. After the Pedrogão Grande tragedy in June, which killed 64 and injured 250, this was the second most serious catastrophe.