Portuguese president slams fireworks factory explosion a "disgrace"

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa travelled to northern Portugal on Wednesday to express his condolences after a fireworks factory explosion killed at least 6 people on Tuesday.

"This is a disgrace," he told journalists in Avoes, Lamego, around 350 km north of Lisbon. "I am here to represent the sorrow of all Portuguese citizens."

Six people have been confirmed dead and another two have gone missing, according to local media reports on Wednesday.

Rebelo de Sousa said the country had to deal with pyrotechnic activities in a more efficient way.

He also regretted that there were small, family factory plants in Portugal which faced a lack of monitoring, inspection and control. Endit