At least 25 people have been killed by floods and mudslides caused by torrential rain on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Interior Minister Rui Pereira said today.
"The only number I have that comes from the national civil protection service is 25 people dead," Mr Pereira said as he prepared to travel to the Atlantic island, a popular tourist destination about 1,000km southwest of Lisbon.
Television footage showed powerful streams of water and mud invading the streets of Madeira's capital Funchal, dragging and overturning cars and felling trees.
Over 60 people were treated in hospital, state-run Lusa news agency said.
It was not immediately clear whether any tourists were among the victims.
Prime Minister Jose Socrates expressed his "profound shock" at the size of the calamity affecting Madeira, and the authorities promised to organise aid for the autonomous region.
Reuters