The Wild Fire in Portugal.

A raging wildfire ripping through central Portugal has killed at least 62 people and injured dozens more in what officials there described as the "greatest wildfire tragedy of recent years."

Eight firefighters are among the injured and four of them are in critical condition, Portuguese Interior Minister Constanca Urbano de Sousa said.

 She asked the Portuguese to stop sending supplies as teams on the ground already had more than they could manage and the influx of water, food and medical equipment was creating logistical difficulties.

The government has declared three days of mourning.

The head of Portugal's judiciary police told reporters the fire was started by lightning. "We have been able to determine that the origin of the fire was caused by dry thunderstorms," José Maria Almeida Rodrigues said, according to the Portuguese state-run news agency LUSA.

The blaze spread Saturday to the Pedrógão Grande community, forcing residents to flee the area to escape towering flames. Pedrógão Grande is about 120 miles north of Lisbon.

 

the blaze. "I am shocked with this death toll,"Alves told TVI.

"Many cars could not get out and people burned to death inside their cars," Interior Ministry official Jorge Gomes told CNN affiliate TVI. Hundreds of firefighters were still fighting the flames Monday.

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said schools in the municipalities of Pedrogão, Figueiró and Castanheira will be closed "for an indefinite period" and exams will be postponed.

 

European countries are coming together to assist Portugal. France and Spain have sent planes to help battle the blaze, the European Commission said.

"We express our condolences to those that have lost loved ones," said Christos Stylianides of the European Commission. "The EU is fully ready to help. All will be done to assist the authorities and people of Portugal at this time of need."