LOC22:40
19:40 GMT
MADRID, June 20 (KUNA) -- A Portuguese water-pumping plane crashed while battling the raging forest fires in central Portugal on Tuesday, Portuguese police said.
Spanish EFE news agency quoted police sources as saying the Canadair water-pumping plane crashed while battling the fires in Pedrogao Grande province. No further details were available.
Spain provided four planes to fight the blaze.
Spanish official TV said strong wind pushed the fire to expand to the north of Pedrogao Grande province to Gois, forcing local authorities to evacuate a number of villages.
The number of injured rose to 157 people, many of them seriously, said the TV. (end)
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