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Rescue teams work round the clock in Madeira Rescue teams work round the clock in Madeira
(about 9 hours later)
by Robert Hall BBC News, Madeira Flood waters and mudslides have torn the heart out of Madeira's capitalby Robert Hall BBC News, Madeira Flood waters and mudslides have torn the heart out of Madeira's capital
Along the seafront in Funchal, a wide palm-fringed avenue borders the harbour, normally the perfect place for a holiday stroll, but there are no sightseers tonight... just gangs of weary salvage workers, and a constant rumble of heavy machinery.Along the seafront in Funchal, a wide palm-fringed avenue borders the harbour, normally the perfect place for a holiday stroll, but there are no sightseers tonight... just gangs of weary salvage workers, and a constant rumble of heavy machinery.
Round the clock, the efforts to clear tonnes of mud and rock carried down from the mountains has been unceasing.Round the clock, the efforts to clear tonnes of mud and rock carried down from the mountains has been unceasing.
In Funchal's deserted shopping centre, hoses thread through the narrow streets where residents are still trying to gain access to ruined and waterlogged buildings.In Funchal's deserted shopping centre, hoses thread through the narrow streets where residents are still trying to gain access to ruined and waterlogged buildings.
They're getting on with the clear-up, but there's a kind of darkness hanging over the city, it's so sadThey're getting on with the clear-up, but there's a kind of darkness hanging over the city, it's so sad
The flood waters have torn the heart out of Madeira's capital. The local paper carries one banner headline: "Devastation."The flood waters have torn the heart out of Madeira's capital. The local paper carries one banner headline: "Devastation."
This is an island especially popular with British visitors, who have always received a warm welcome.This is an island especially popular with British visitors, who have always received a warm welcome.
Now, standing in the heavy rain showers, they can barely believe what has unfolded around them.Now, standing in the heavy rain showers, they can barely believe what has unfolded around them.
One woman told me: "They're getting on with the clear-up, but there's a kind of darkness hanging over the city, it's so sad."One woman told me: "They're getting on with the clear-up, but there's a kind of darkness hanging over the city, it's so sad."
Just outside the capital, the scene of one tragedy is closed to public view.Just outside the capital, the scene of one tragedy is closed to public view.
Pamela Gaines, from East Yorkshire in the UK, was travelling in a taxi with her husband, and two friends, when it was carried away by floodwater. Pamela Gaines, from East Yorkshire in the UK, was travelling in a taxi with her husband, and two friends, when it was carried away by floodwater, killing her.
The taxi driver also lost his life.The taxi driver also lost his life.
Slow progressSlow progress
Help is arriving - a warship and extra troops to help restore infrastructure and communications.Help is arriving - a warship and extra troops to help restore infrastructure and communications.
But more heavy rain has hampered the teams who are making slow progress towards isolated communities in the mountains around Funchal, some of which remain cut off.But more heavy rain has hampered the teams who are making slow progress towards isolated communities in the mountains around Funchal, some of which remain cut off.
A second major operation centres on an underground car park near the capital's commercial centre. Divers have been carrying out searches amid fears that some of the missing have been trapped.A second major operation centres on an underground car park near the capital's commercial centre. Divers have been carrying out searches amid fears that some of the missing have been trapped.
Madeira's government has once again warned that the death toll here could rise still further.Madeira's government has once again warned that the death toll here could rise still further.