They were discovered in the northern village of Figueira da Foz, after waters of the river Mondego retreated following floods, the Lusa news agency quoted police as saying.

Since late January, Portugal has endured a series of storms that have claimed at least seven lives, according to the civil protection authorities. Some local media have put the death toll higher, reporting up to 18 deaths.

It was not yet clear if these latest deaths could be directly attributed to the severe weather.

Conditions have improved since Saturday, but officials are still assessing the damage wrought by the storms and the flooding.