At least 38 people have been killed by violent storms and mudslides in the popular holiday island, Madeira. Emergency teams rushed to the rescue, while British tourists were urged to stay in their hotel rooms as helicopters and medical supplies are delivered to the island. According to the Telegraph, the torrential rains, which hit on Saturday, have swept away cars, home and trees. "We are studyingthe possibility of declaring a state of emergency and then seeking help from the European Union," said Rui Pereira, the Interior Minister. The storms are Madeira’s worst since October 1993, when eight people were killed. Meanwhile, Francisco Ramos, the Regional Government Social Affairs Secretary, said: "We have 38 dead but the figure is not completely definitive. We are going to continue to search for bodies, we are waiting for the teams which are due to arrive... in order to continue working on the ground." Holidaymakers have reported ‘wild weather’ and lots of debris floating past damaged hotels. The Guardian reported that while the airport reopened on Sunday morning, it was packed full of people trying to return after flights had been cancelled. A British female in her fifties is believed to be missing. Peter Ramos, a spokesman for the island's Cruz de Carvalho hospital, said that of 120 patients admitted on Saturday, three were Brits and only one remained in hospital with severe injuries.