Portugal sought the help of Morocco and Spain to combat the deadly wildfires engulfing central and northern Portugal, which had stretched emergency services to their limits, according to several media reports.
The media report also noted that Morocco is sending up to four heavy water-bombing aircraft, which are expected to arrive in Portugal on Wednesday.
For context, CNN Portugal reported that at least seven people have died due to the blazes in the Aveiro and Viseu districts, with dozens of houses destroyed and almost 70 thousand hectares of forest and scrubland consumed.
In response, Reuters highlighted that the Portuguese authorities have mobilized over 5,000 firefighters.
Citing its interview with CNN Portugal, Reuters reported that Duarte Costa, President of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), stated that a specialized emergency team of 230 Spanish military personnel would be deployed to the central Viseu district, where the massive blazes are of great concern at the moment.
It also mentioned that three European countries—Spain, Italy, and France—have sent water-bombing aircraft–two from each– to assist Portugal in battling its wildfires. This aid follows the Portuguese government’s request for help under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on Monday.
“We are in a stressful situation, at the limit of our capabilities, and that is why we are asking for help from the European mechanism, Spain and Morocco,” Costa said, according to the same source, explaining that the reinforcements would allow for some rotation of exhausted Portuguese firefighters and aircraft maintenance.
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