In Madeira Island, Portugal, heavy rain causes floods and mudslides, resulting in at least 43 deaths, in the worst disaster in the history of the archipelago.

2010 Madeira floods and mudslides

2010 deadly natural disasters in Portugal

An extreme weather event affected Madeira Island in Portugal's autonomous Madeira archipelago on 20 February 2010. The resulting flash floods and mudslides killed 51 people, of whom 6 are still to be found, and injured 250. Around 600 people were left homeless.

History of Madeira

The history of Madeira begins with the discovery of the islands by Portugal in 1419. There is no record of anyone living on the islands at that time. Portugal began populating the island in 1420.