At least five people have died after Storm Kristin tore through central and northern Portugal, causing flooding, landslides, and widespread damage. The storm, which the government described as an 'extreme climactic event', left schools shuttered, buildings damaged and travel severely disrupted.
In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel overturned and several vehicles were hit when part of a roof was torn from a building. Portugal has been hit by a succession of storms in recent days, including one over the weekend that caused the death of a man whose car was swept away in floods.
Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 150 km/h led to more than 3,000 weather-related incidents across the country, with several individuals injured by falling trees and debris. The strongest winds were recorded at the Monte Real air base in Leiria, where gusts of 178 km/h were noted before the monitoring equipment was destroyed. More than 850,000 people lost power due to the storm.
The civil protection agency reported that three of the fatalities occurred in Leiria, with additional deaths reported across various districts. Transport routes have been severely impacted, with major highways and railways blocked by debris. Ten coastal areas were issued with a red weather warning, predicting waves as high as 14 meters.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed condolences to the victims' families and announced an assessment of the damage, while local leaders have called for the declaration of a state of emergency due to the extensive destruction.
After crossing Portugal, Storm Kristin continued its path eastward into Spain, bringing further rain and snow.
In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel overturned and several vehicles were hit when part of a roof was torn from a building. Portugal has been hit by a succession of storms in recent days, including one over the weekend that caused the death of a man whose car was swept away in floods.
Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 150 km/h led to more than 3,000 weather-related incidents across the country, with several individuals injured by falling trees and debris. The strongest winds were recorded at the Monte Real air base in Leiria, where gusts of 178 km/h were noted before the monitoring equipment was destroyed. More than 850,000 people lost power due to the storm.
The civil protection agency reported that three of the fatalities occurred in Leiria, with additional deaths reported across various districts. Transport routes have been severely impacted, with major highways and railways blocked by debris. Ten coastal areas were issued with a red weather warning, predicting waves as high as 14 meters.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed condolences to the victims' families and announced an assessment of the damage, while local leaders have called for the declaration of a state of emergency due to the extensive destruction.
After crossing Portugal, Storm Kristin continued its path eastward into Spain, bringing further rain and snow.
