In a tragic incident at a campsite in Portugal, an 85-year-old British woman lost her life due to severe weather associated with Storm Claudia. The storm struck around 11:00 GMT on Saturday and continued until 15:00, resulting in widespread damage and chaos in the area.
Casualties and Injuries
The storm led to injuries for 28 individuals across two sites in Albufeira. Among the injured were:
- Six children aged between two months and seven years, all sustaining minor injuries.
- Twenty-three adults aged between 24 and 70 years, some suffering more serious consequences.
Portugal’s National Medical Emergency Institute confirmed these details, highlighting the seriousness of the situation amidst the chaos created by the storm.
Government Response
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro expressed his condolences to the victim’s family while wishing a swift recovery for those injured. He acknowledged the exhaustive efforts made by Portugal’s Civil Protection to manage the aftermath of the storm. Montenegro emphasized their commitment to responding as quickly and effectively as possible, though he noted that serious consequences were unavoidable.
Widespread Impact of Storm Claudia
Storm Claudia has wreaked havoc across Portugal and parts of neighboring Spain over the past few days. The IPMA issued warnings of persistent, heavy rain coupled with thunderstorms, particularly affecting towns such as Faro, Setúbal, and Beja.
Record of Natural Disasters
In a separate incident, an elderly couple lost their lives in Lisbon due to flooding caused by the storm, showcasing the perilous conditions prevailing in the region. Various areas are under orange alerts as authorities brace for more severe weather impacts.
As communities begin to recover, the incident underscores the unpredictability of severe weather phenomena and their potential to cause tragic outcomes.
