Madeira Island: At least 32 people were killed in floods and mudslides on the Portuguese Atlantic island of Madeira following heavy storms, the local government said on Saturday.
At least another 68 were injured, officials said.
The rains caused flooding and landslides across the island, a highly favoured tourist destination. Surging water swept away cars, bridges and trees. There were widespread power outages reported, and wind gusts at 100 kilometres per hour.
Airports were shut down and many streets were rendered unusable. Residents were urged not to leave their homes as many communities on the island have been cut off from the outside world.
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said he was "deeply troubled" about the deaths and damage. He said he would travel to Madeira to take stock of the damage as soon as weather conditions permitted.
Madeira's regional chief Alberto Joao Jardim spoke to European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso to request emergency aid. Barroso sent his condolences to the families of the deceased and said the European Commission would extend its support to Portugal.
With 265,000 residents, Madeira is the largest island in the archipelago of the same name.
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