Madeira fires: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected"

Wednesday 10 August 2016

Jersey's Chief Minister has sent a message of support to the Island's Madeiran community following the wildfires which have so far claimed three lives.

The fires have burned for two days in and around Madeira's capital Funchal, which is twinned with St Helier, with thousands being evacuated from their homes.

The media have reported more than a hundred separate fires with one burning down the five-star Choupana Hills hotel.

This morning the fires reached well into Funchal, with one elderly woman dying when her home caught fire near the centre of the city. 

Jersey has a substantial Madeiran community, with many people having family and friends still living on the Portuguese Island, which is 450 miles off the North African coast. The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, issued the following message this morning:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those, both in Madeira and here in Jersey, who have been affected by the tragic fire in Funchal. We will be closely monitoring the situation and will contact Islanders, in particular Jersey’s Madeiran community, with any new or relevant information.”

More than 3,000 emergency workers are currently battling to get the fires under control, but their attempts are being hampered by strong winds, difficult terrain and temperatures topping 35 degrees centigrade.