Horror moment 'fire tornado' ravages European holiday hotspot

Horror images captured the horrifying moment a fire tornado violently erupted in Portugal, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Wildfires have broken out across many parts of Europe, as the continent continues to be gripped by an intense heatwave that has sent the mercury soaring above 40C.

One area particularly badly affected is Portugal's northern region of Aguiar de Beira, which is attracting ever more tourists with each passing year. A fire tornado burst through the region, burning everything in its path and causing untold destruction. Fire tornados are rare and are formed in intense heat when the air surrounding a fire begins to rotate into a vortex.

Footage posted to social media channels showed the terrifying moment the fast-moving spiral of flames struck.

The fire-tornado can be seen powerfully spinning, shooting out bursts of flames, as black smoke fills the air and the sky turns a fluorescent orange. Locals sprint to take cover and get out of the way of the spinning vortex of fire and flames in scenes reminiscent of the apocalypse.

Portuguese authorities have sent almost 4,000 firefighters to try and contain and extinguish the rampaging wildfires. The government has also extended its high risk alert for at least another 24 hours until Sunday.

It comes as the death of the former town mayor of the town Vila Franca was officially confirmed, after his body was recovered on Friday. Carlos Dâmaso tragically died while helping to extinguish a fire that broke out in Pêra do Moço, in the municipality of Guarda.

His death was confirmed by the current parish council president, Sérgio Costa, who told the "O Interior" media outlet that two other people had also been seriously injured, one of whom was transferred to a hospital in Coimbra.

Mr Dâmaso was still involved in local political life and was standing for the parish council in the October elections as an independent.

Portugal, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria are all still reeling from the deadly fires that have sprung up this summer.

Brits have been put on high alert over wildfires tearing through the popular holiday island of Tenerife in Spain.