Huge Portugal forest fires kill 43, injure dozens

PENELA, Portugal: Raging forest fires in central Portugal have killed at least 43 people, most of whom burnt to death in their cars, and injured scores of others, the government said Sunday.

Nearly 600 firefighters and 160 vehicles were dispatched late Saturday to tackle the blaze, which broke out in the afternoon in the municipality of Pedrogao Grande, about 50 kilometers from Coimbra, before spreading fast across several fronts.