An explosion at a fireworks factory in northern Portugal left at least six people dead on Tuesday, with three others missing, rescue services told the Lusa news agency.
More than a hundred firefighters were dispatched to battle the fire sparked by the explosion at the factory in the town of Lamego.
By the late evening rescuers were still waiting for conditions to be safe enough to enter the building and search for the missing, but there was little hope of finding survivors.
Local media reported that the owner of the factory and his daughter were among the victims.The explosions took place late on Tuesday and rescue workers were searching for more victims. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa travelled on Wednesday to the village of Avoes, about 350 km north of Lisbon.
"In the name of the government I want to send my condolences and a word of consolation to the families of the victims," Prime Minister Antonio Costa said in a tweet.
Television images showed smoke and smouldering remains of the factory and the town declared three days of mourning for the victims.
Police launched an investigation into the explosions at the family-owned factory.
