The Algarve Situation Report 30 August 2023
by Mike Evans
A very good day to you all and especially those who may be reading this report for the first time. Safe Communities Portugal publish information every week on what has been happening across the country as well as in Madeira. We concentrate mainly on subjects that are to do with our remit, that is safety and security and civil protection.
As the month of August draws to a close a large number of domestic tourists from the North of Portugal make their way home after their annual visit to the Algarve. We see the roads around the region are very busy which is a major cause of accidents, with people wanting to get home and not thinking about theirs and others safety. There have been a number of road traffic accidents across the Algarve which unfortunately resulted in deaths and injuries.
As a region we have been somewhat lucky with the lack of fires and we can but hope that this trend continues although there was a big fire in the 
, the bombeiros were able to get it under control after 6 hours. The service these men and women provide is fantastic and we should not forget that many of them are part time or volunteers. Our thanks go to all of them at this time.
Now let’s see what has been happening across the Algarve in the past week.
Worker dies and Another Injured at a Construction Site in Aljezur
A civil construction worker died on Wednesday, August 23, following the collapse of a wall at the construction site he was working on in Bordeira , in Aljezur , according to the Regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection.
A source from this organisation said today that the death of the victim, aged 34, was declared by the doctor from the helicopter of the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) that was sent to the place.
The same source added that another 24-year-old worker was “seriously injured” in the accident, who was transferred by helicopter to Faro Hospital. The alert for this occurrence was given at 4:24 pm on Wednesday and there were also eight vehicles with a total of 24 operatives from the Aljezur Firefighters, INEM, the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Civil Protection Service and of the Authority for Working Conditions (ACT).
Tourist Dies after feeling ill at Praia do Coelho
A 40-year-old man from Seville died on Saturday, August 26, at Praia do Coelho , in Monte Gordo, after feeling sick on the beach, according to Arenilha TV.
The alert was given by the lifeguard at 15:15, with the victim, with a history of epilepsy, having been ventilated with material from that pariah concession.
Before the arrival of elements from the “SeaWatch” project and INEM, the man went into cardiac arrest and was transported to the Basic Emergency Service of Vila Real de Santo António , where he died after several resuscitation manoeuvres.
Man of 27 Arrested in Lagos for Burglary
The PSP detained a 27-year-old individual for committing crimes of theft inside residences, the Faro District Command of the PSP advanced this Monday.
“Yesterday, after learning of yet another theft from a house, in the Porto de Mós area, in Lagos, where items in gold worth 56,000.00 euros were subtracted, the PSP in Lagos carried out immediate investigations, culminating in the acquisition of evidence that allowed the suspect to be intercepted and detained”, says the PSP in a statement.
Most of the articles from were recovered by the police, as well as “articles from other offences of the same nature, which occurred essentially in houses in the city of Lagos”, continues the note.The detainee is indicted for the commission of five crimes of aggravated theft and five other identical crimes in the attempted form. According to the PSP, he will be present before the Judicial Authority for the application of coercive measures considered appropriate while awaiting trial.
Young Woman Rescued after Fainting near João de Arens Beach
An 18-year-old girl was rescued near Praia de João de Arens, in the municipality of Portimão , with no access by land, after suffering a power outage and fainting, announced the National Maritime Authority.
The alert was given at 15:57 by a crew member of a local vessel, with members of the Maritime Police, from the “SeaWatch” project, the coordinator of the lifeguards of the beach support of Alvor and Rocha having immediately moved to the place . , the Portimão Volunteer Firefighters and the Portuguese Red Cross.
This young woman was later transported by sea to a Red Cross ambulance, which sent her to a hospital unit.
Traffic Altercation leads to the Death of a 44-year-old man in Quarteira
A 44-year-old man died on Monday, the 28th, following a traffic disagreement that resulted in aggression and that involved two other people, in Quarteira, said a source from the GNR.
The incident took place in Quarteira, in the municipality of Loulé , at 8:30 pm, said a source from the general command of the GNR.
The attacks arose as a result of a traffic disagreement between two individuals who crossed the crosswalk and an individual who was riding a motorcycle, added the same source, without specifying further details while the investigation takes place. The victim, a 44-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene by rescue teams.
The Judiciary Police was called to the scene to carry out the steps, the GNR source also explained .
Man Arrested for Armed Robbery in Albufeira
A 22-year-old man was arrested on August 24 for robbery with a knife in the municipality of Albufeira , announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).
The arrest was made by the Territorial Command of Faro, through the Territorial Sub-detachment of Albufeira, following a report of the theft of two men aged 19 and 20.
These two men were also threatened with a knife and after police investigations it was possible to locate the suspect, recover 30 euros in cash and seize a knife. Three defendants aged 21, 23 and 25 were also named, who are suspected of being involved in these robberies.
The detainee was present at the Judicial Court of Albufeira the following day and the coercion measure of weekly appearances at the police station in his area of residence was applied to him.
Preventive Arrest for Man who Robbed Restaurant in Albufeira
A 21-year-old man was remanded in custody for stealing from a restaurant in the municipality of Albufeira on August 24, announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).
The arrest was made by the Territorial Command of Faro , through the Territorial Sub-detachment of Albufeira.
After a complaint that a man had broken into a window and entered a restaurant, the Guard’s military found the suspect’s location and proceeded to arrest him in the act, when the individual left the place. During the action, 53 euros in cash, two mobile phones and a knife were seized.
The detainee, who has a criminal record, was present at the Judicial Court of Albufeira.
And Finally we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of GNR, Corporal Nuno Policarpo who sadly passed away following a road traffic accident in Loule on the 26th August. Nuno Policarpo was 47 years old and was born in Nisa. A Member of the National Republican Guard, he served in the Community Policing Section of the Territorial Detachment of Loulé.
In a statement released on Sunday, the 27th, the Municipality of Loulé publicly expresses “its deep regret, The disappearance of this young GNR soldier, on a night of celebration and joy for tens of thousands of people, shocks us and makes us appreciate even more the importance of the work of the security forces”, can be read in a statement.
“To the family and the National Republican Guard, the Municipality of Loulé sends its most sincere condolences for the loss of a professional who cared for the safety and well-being of our community throughout his life”, ends the note. From all of the volunteers at Safe Communities Portugal we also extend our sincere condolences.