Falling tree kills multiple people in Portugal

By Ilker Girit

ISTANBUL

Multiple people have been killed as a tree fell on a crowd during a religious festival on the Portuguese island of Madeira, local media reported on Tuesday.

Reports said at least 11 people died when the tree fell outside a church around midday local time (1000GMT) during the traditional Festa da Senhora do Monte on the north Atlantic island.

Video footage released by Portuguese broadcaster RTP showed the moment when a bough of a large tree fell to the ground in Funchal, the island's main town.

RTP also says two children are among the dead.

Portugal's president, Antonio Costa, has expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.