British woman, 85, killed as Storm Claudia hits Portugal

An 85-year-old British woman has died in Portugal after Storm Claudia hit a holiday campsite in the south of the country.

- REBECCA WHITTAKER

A regional commander of the Algarve identified the woman and said dozens of people were injured in the region after “extreme winds” struck the area. According to media reports, the woman was initially reported missing at a campsite, but was later found dead.

Luis Montenegro, Portugal's prime minister, sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the family of the woman, who has not been named. He said officials had responded “with full commitment and the greatest possible speed”, but “serious consequences could not be avoided”.

The storm, named by the Spanish meteorological service, hit the UK on Friday and caused devastating floods in Monmouthshire, south Wales, where a major incident was declared. Dozens of people were rescued from their homes or evacuated in the town of Monmouth following severe flooding when the River Monnow burst its banks.