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Madeirans flee from fresh dangers | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Dozens of people in Madeira have been ordered to evacuate their homes, amid fears of fresh landslides following deadly floods on the island. | |
Up to 40 residents of Ribeira Brava were told to leave because a hillside threatened to collapse, a local mayor told Portuguese radio. | |
The Portuguese government meanwhile has declared three days of mourning after at least 42 people died in the floods. | |
Efforts to find survivors are continuing, some three days on. | |
Cars were buried, buildings damaged and people swept along in raging waters which swept through the capital, Funchal, on Saturday. | |
Families have also been moved from Ponta do Sol, a village considered a high risk zone west of Funchal, Diario de Noticias-Funchal news website said, AFP news agency reported. | |
In pictures: Flood aftermath Briton dies in Madeira floods Your pictures | In pictures: Flood aftermath Briton dies in Madeira floods Your pictures |
Specialist army teams are working to get through to communities that remain cut off, with roads blocked and bridges collapsed. | Specialist army teams are working to get through to communities that remain cut off, with roads blocked and bridges collapsed. |
Military personnel and civilian emergency teams have been clearing huge piles of rocks from roads and pumping mud and water out of shops and houses. | Military personnel and civilian emergency teams have been clearing huge piles of rocks from roads and pumping mud and water out of shops and houses. |
In the towns worst affected, local media say schools have been closed and civil servants given a day off as officials try to keep the streets clear for the rescue work. | In the towns worst affected, local media say schools have been closed and civil servants given a day off as officials try to keep the streets clear for the rescue work. |
Four people have been reported missing - but several communities on the south coast are still inaccessible, and some phone connections are down. | Four people have been reported missing - but several communities on the south coast are still inaccessible, and some phone connections are down. |
There were fears that the death toll could rise, particularly in three remote parts of the island, officials said. | There were fears that the death toll could rise, particularly in three remote parts of the island, officials said. |
"It is very probable that we will find more bodies," Funchal Mayor Miguel Albuquerque was quoted by AFP as saying. | |
Paramedics and divers have been sent from the Portuguese mainland. | Paramedics and divers have been sent from the Portuguese mainland. |
A temporary morgue has been set up at the international airport, which re-opened for international flights on Sunday. | A temporary morgue has been set up at the international airport, which re-opened for international flights on Sunday. |
More than 120 people were injured in Saturday's rainstorms, in which the rainfall exceeded the monthly average, meteorologists said. | More than 120 people were injured in Saturday's rainstorms, in which the rainfall exceeded the monthly average, meteorologists said. |
Aid request | Aid request |
Water, power and telecommunications were cut off in some areas, with roofs ripped off buildings and roads buckled by the amount of water. | Water, power and telecommunications were cut off in some areas, with roofs ripped off buildings and roads buckled by the amount of water. |
MADEIRA FACTS Autonomous region of Portugal with population of about 250,000Lies just over 480km (300 miles) from West African coast The European continent is more than 900km away | MADEIRA FACTS Autonomous region of Portugal with population of about 250,000Lies just over 480km (300 miles) from West African coast The European continent is more than 900km away |
About 250 were made homeless and are staying in temporary shelters. | About 250 were made homeless and are staying in temporary shelters. |
Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who visited the island on Sunday, said he was "profoundly shocked" by the severity of the floods. | Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who visited the island on Sunday, said he was "profoundly shocked" by the severity of the floods. |
Portugal has requested emergency funds from the EU, and Spain has offered help. | Portugal has requested emergency funds from the EU, and Spain has offered help. |
Construction firms on the island offered equipment to rescue teams to help shift the debris. | Construction firms on the island offered equipment to rescue teams to help shift the debris. |
The island is now on orange alert due to strong winds, especially on high ground. | The island is now on orange alert due to strong winds, especially on high ground. |
Madeira, located about 900km (560 miles) from the Portuguese mainland, is popular with foreign tourists. | Madeira, located about 900km (560 miles) from the Portuguese mainland, is popular with foreign tourists. |
One British woman was killed in the floods, the UK Foreign Office said, and a small number of Britons were in hospital on Madeira. | |
Do you live in the area? Have you been affected by the floods and mudslides? Are you visiting the island? | Do you live in the area? Have you been affected by the floods and mudslides? Are you visiting the island? |
Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
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Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |