At least One British Tourist Found Dead in Flooding at Madeira
Sharon MillerSo far, at least 42 people have been confirmed dead in the flash flooding that took place on the Portuguese island of Madeira. On top of this, at least one British tourist is feared dead.
A storm just recently swept across this island on Saturday. Police and rescuers are now starting to search through the mud and debris looking for survivors. At least four people remain missing, local officials have confirmed. Warnings have already been given out that the death toll could rise, as rescuers are trying to reach towns that have been cut off by mudslides and rock falls caused by the storm.
About 120 people have been injured during this disaster. This storm is being described as the worst disaster that has happen on the island in over a century.
Pamela Gaines, from Garton on the Worlds, East Yorkshire, is among the people that have been killed. The 50-year-old Brit had been traveling in a taxi with her husband and two fellow British friends when they were swept away by a swollen river.
Her death was confirmed by the Foreign Office. The UK’s Portuguese ambassador, Alex Ellis, did confirm that British officials were visiting the local hospitals searching for missing British holidaymakers. Just a handful of the 2,000 British visitors that were visiting the island were among the people that were hurt.
The Portuguese government is holding a Cabinet meeting that will contain three days of mourning for the victims that are expected to be announced. The government may also grant financial aid to rebuild Madeira’s wrecked roads and bridges. However, the good news is that a number of the hotels in the area have been largely unaffected.
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Filed under Health & Environment, Travel News, UK News, World News