Rains, mudslides claim 32 lives in Portugal

At least 32 people have been killed in flash floods caused by rainstorms on the resort island of Madeira. Portuguese offficials say the death toll is expected to rise further. Rains, mudslides claim 32 lives in Portugal Local radio stations appealed for off-duty doctors and nurses to report for work after heavy rainfall knocked down houses, destroyed bridges and blocked roads, cutting off some regions of the popular tourist destination. The southern side of the island was hardest hit by Friday's freak storms, with roads blocked by fallen trees and rocks. "The areas of Funchal and Ribeira Brava suffered from major floods and mudslides, and that's where we have most of the 32 dead. Some people are also unaccounted for," said Pedro Barbosa, deputy chief of the regional civil protection service in Madeira's capital, Funchal. "Now, the weather conditions have improved and we are starting to evaluate the damage," he told Reuters news agency. TV pictures showed mudslides sweeping cars and debris though the city's streets, home to 100,000 residents. Officials evacuated the lower part of Funchal, as floodwaters submerged a shopping mall and three underground parking levels. Local authorities confirmed that 70 people were receiving hospital treatment in emergency wards. The officials also announced they were making temporary shelters available for several hundred people left homeless. It was not immediately clear whether any foreigners were among the victims. Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates and Interior Minister Rui Pereira are on their way to the region to assess the damage and coordinate aid. The Lisbon government has promised support and is considering imposing a state of emergency. "I am absolutely saddened and shocked with the images, with the consequences of this calamity," Prime Minister Socrates said. Socrates added that Lisbon could ask for European Union financial assistance to help repair the flood damage. (Beta/AP)

Rains, mudslides claim 32 lives in Portugal

Local radio stations appealed for off-duty doctors and nurses to report for work after heavy rainfall knocked down houses, destroyed bridges and blocked roads, cutting off some regions of the popular tourist destination. The southern side of the island was hardest hit by Friday's freak storms, with roads blocked by fallen trees and rocks.

"The areas of Funchal and Ribeira Brava suffered from major floods and mudslides, and that's where we have most of the 32 dead. Some people are also unaccounted for," said Pedro Barbosa, deputy chief of the regional civil protection service in Madeira's capital, Funchal.

"Now, the weather conditions have improved and we are starting to evaluate the damage," he told Reuters news agency.

TV pictures showed mudslides sweeping cars and debris though the city's streets, home to 100,000 residents. Officials evacuated the lower part of Funchal, as floodwaters submerged a shopping mall and three underground parking levels.

Local authorities confirmed that 70 people were receiving hospital treatment in emergency wards. The officials also announced they were making temporary shelters available for several hundred people left homeless.

It was not immediately clear whether any foreigners were among the victims.

Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates and Interior Minister Rui Pereira are on their way to the region to assess the damage and coordinate aid. The Lisbon government has promised support and is considering imposing a state of emergency.

"I am absolutely saddened and shocked with the images, with the consequences of this calamity," Prime Minister Socrates said.

Socrates added that Lisbon could ask for European Union financial assistance to help repair the flood damage.