Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 15-08-2017
At least 12 people have been killed by a falling tree during a religious festival on the Portuguese island of Madeira this afternoon.
It’s understood 52 others were injured after the tree fell outside a church.
The Nossa Senhora do Monte festival is Madeira’s biggest annual festivity which draws large crowds to a church on the outskirts of the island’s capital of Funchal.
RTP public television showed images of emergency workers gathered under a group of tall trees on the Atlantic island. Ambulances were shown pulling away from the site while workers wielding chain saws cut away limbs from an enormous tree on the ground.
The regional government of Madeira has declared three days of mourning for the victims.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa shared his condolences for the victims on his Twitter account.
“I express my condolences for the victims of the accident in Madeira,” Costa said. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.”
Costa says that the central government has made contact with local authorities on the island to offer its support.
– AP
Expresso as minhas condolências pelas vítimas do acidente na #Madeira. Os meus sentimentos aos familiares e amigos das vítimas. #Funchal
— António Costa (@antoniocostapm) August 15, 2017
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