KHARGA, Egypt, Oct 6, 2018 (MENA) - Civil protection forces succeeded on Saturday to control a massive fire that broke out in palm farms in Rashdah village in New Valley governorate in the southwestern part of the country, in Egypt's Western Desert late Friday. Governor Mohamed Al Zamlout said, in press statements, that cooling off operations are now underway. Civil protection workers had been trying to control the fire for more than 16 hours, he pointed out. The number of victims due to the fire has reached 30, Health Ministry Undersecretary Sayeda Musharaf said. In press statements this morning, she added that they are all suffering from suffocation, burns or unconsciousness. Some cases are still under observation, she added, noting that a high state of alert was announced after the fire broke out. Strong winds caused the fire to spread consuming 60 feddans of palms.