MADRID (February 21, 2010)--Portuguese officials say they are flying out emergency aid to the island of Madeira where at least 32 people have been killed and dozens more have been injured after heavy rain caused flooding and mudslides.

The civil protection agency says a medical team backed up by divers and rescue experts will fly to the tourist destination in the Atlantic Ocean aboard a C-130 transport plane, which will also carry telecommunications equipment to help repair damage.

Phones lines were knocked out by the slides.

Authorities said Saturday's storm displaced 250 people.

It was the worst to hit the island since 1993.