Morocco sends Fire-fighting Plane to Battle Portugal’s Wildfire

Morocco sent a fire-fighting plane, Bombardier Canadair, of the Royal Armed Forces to Portugal to help extinguish an inferno that ravaged large swathes of forests north of Lisbon.

Portugal’s worst forest fire broke out a week ago in the central municipality of Pedrógão Grande before spreading to neighboring areas including Góis, Pampilhosa da Serra and Arganil.

At least, 72 people were killed in the fire, most of them lost their lives as they attempted to leave their cars to flee the flames, which also injured more than 250, according to Portuguese sources.

So far, the fire ravaged 30,000 hectares of forests as it roared due to excessive heat, low humidity and winds prompting the closure of several roads and the evacuation of thousands of people.

Portuguese Prime minister described the fire as “the biggest tragedy of human life that we have known in years,” and ordered a probe into the fire.

Portuguese sources reported that a water-dropping plane was lost and most probably crushed as it fought the fire although the wreckage has not been found yet.