In a note published on Facebook by the Madeira Volunteer Firefighters, the corporation states that they were called at 8:45am, after around two dozen vehicles were trapped with their respective occupants in Pico do Areeiro.

The firefighters and a team from the Forest Police created "the possible conditions so that these vehicles could move safely and leave the site".


During the operation, firefighters found a family of tourists, made up of two adults and two children, "who were taking a walk between Eira do Serrado and Pico do Arieiro". The operatives found that one of the minors was "having some difficulties" because of the cold.

The family was, therefore, removed and taken "to the Poiso area where they remained safe".