A former mayor has been killed in “uncontrollable” wildfires in Portugal as firefighters continue to fight huge blazes and searing temperatures scorch much of southern Europe .

Nearly 4,000 firefighters have been deployed on several fire fronts in Portugal, with the government extending a state of alert until Sunday.

The government in Lisbon made a formal request for assistance from the EU’s civil protection mechanism, a firefighting force that can be called upon by countries in need

The wildfires in Portugal claimed the life of Carlos Dâmaso, a former mayor of the town of Vila Franca do Deão. He died while helping to fight a blaze, officials said. He had been reported missing, and his body was found on Friday.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal’s president, offered his “heartfelt con

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