At least sixty-two people have died and as many again have been injured in a massive forest fire that broke out in Pedrógão Grande in the Leiria district in central Portugal. Among them are at least four children.

The fire is understood to have ignited on Saturday in temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius following a dry lightening strike.

The government decreed three days of national mourning starting yesterday for the victims, many of whom are thought to have perished in their cars as they tried to escape the raging blaze.

Portugal’s Prime Minister visited the scene yesterday, and the President has cleared his agenda until tomorrow.