At least 11 people have been killed when they were crushed by a falling tree during a religious festival on the island of Madeira, local media reports. 

Portuguese media say the large tree came crushing down on a crowd outside a church during the Nossa Senhora do Monte festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from all around the world to the island every year.

Crowds are drawn to the village of Monte, a suburb of Funchal, the capital city of the Portuguese archipelago. 

Television footage from the scene has shown images of emergency workers and Red Cross workers gathered around a tall tree on the ground. 

RTP public television reports that 11 people have perished in the incident but no official authorities have yet confirmed the number of casualties.