PEDRÓGÃO GRANDE — 2017 · Major Tragedy
Pedrógão Grande Forest Fire
On 17 June 2017, a forest fire that broke out amid extreme heat and dry conditions in Pedrógão Grande, central Portugal, quickly spiralled out of control. Official reports said it was started by lightning during a dry thunderstorm, although some firefighters raised suspicions of arson. Many people fleeing the fire were trapped on a rural road suddenly engulfed by flames: 47 died there, in or near their cars. The total death toll reached 66, with more than 200 injured. Portugal declared three days of national mourning. The disaster sparked a nationwide debate on eucalyptus-dominated forest management and inadequate emergency communications.
- Date
- 2017
- Place
- Leiria, Portugal, Pedrógão Grande, PT
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 39.9170, -8.1450 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 17 June 2017The fire broke out in Pedrógão Grande; 47 people died on one road.
- 18 June 2017The government declared three days of national mourning.
- June 2017Firefighting help arrived from abroad; the total death toll reached 66.
- October 2017After a new wave of fires, the interior minister resigned.
Sources
- BBC News — Portugal forest fires kill 62 near Coimbra bbc.com ↗
- The Guardian — Huge forest fires in Portugal kill at least 60 theguardian.com ↗
- Die Zeit — Staatstrauer wegen verheerenden Waldbrands zeit.de ↗
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Die Zeit
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
Related Cases
More cases from the 2010s
Categories
Collections
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.