Sunday, February 21, 2010

Portugal rushes aid to Madeira after deadly floods

Portugal's armed forces are sending two ships with helicopters and medical supplies to Madeira island, where floods have killed at least 32 people.

Extra search and rescue teams were expected to arrive on Sunday to help clean up after mudslides and raging floods tore through towns on Saturday.

Officials fear the death toll could rise. Water, power and phones were cut in some areas.

PM Jose Socrates, who is in Madeira, said he would "do everything to help".

The storms were the worst there since October 1993, when eight people died.

Madeira is located about 900km (560miles) from the Portuguese mainland and is popular with foreign tourists.

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