The Algarve Report Wednesday 22 May 2024
By Mike Evans
As we approach the summer season, it is good to hear that many of the areas along the coast of the Algarve have received their flags of quality for the beaches and the water.
Quercus – National Association for Nature Conservation awarded the “Golden Quality” award to the sea water of several beaches in Portimão: Rocha, Três Castelos, Careanos, Barranco das Canas, Vau, Alvor-nascente and Alvor-poente.
The main criterion for this distinction is that the water quality must have been “excellent” in the last five bathing seasons, from 2019 to 2023, based on analyses carried out in the laboratories of the different Regional Hydrographic Administrations, especially in terms of bacterial indicators. According to Quercus there are 59 beaches across the Algarve which have been awarded these flags. In addition to the award, all beaches in the municipality bear the Blue Flag, for fulfilling a set of criteria related to “information and education and environmental management, bathing water quality, safety and services, social responsibility and community involvement”.
On a general comment, the temperature of the sea is still pretty low and anyone venturing into the sea for a dip should be aware of the dangers of getting cramp as well as the possibility of Rip currents, a topic we recently spoke about on Facebook and reached almost 700,000 people so if you are not sure how to spot a rip current please check our Facebook site and search for Rip Currents.
Now for a look at what else has happened in the past week across the Algarve.
Food Bank calls for “unity and help” from the population
The Algarve Food Bank is preparing to carry out another solidarity food collection campaign, on the 25th and 26th of May, across the region.
To participate in the campaign as a volunteer, interested parties can register at this website: https://registo.appia-ipss.pt/ Registration is mandatory and must be repeated for each campaign.
Nuno Cabrita Alves, president of the Algarve Food Bank, calls for “everyone’s unity and help in this cause”. The person responsible emphasises that “one hour of your day will make a difference in the lives of thousands of families”. In a statement, this institution highlights that “volunteers are essential in any of the 130 stores, spread across all municipalities in the region, where it is necessary to distribute bags and, later, receive food with donations. In the Faro and Portimão warehouses, help is essential to unload food and separate it, fold bags, among other tasks”.
In addition to the volunteers, Nuno Cabrita Alves reinforces that more food donations are also needed. Help can be provided in stores with food or vouchers, but also here, with food donations or through financial support, from May 24th to June 2nd. All companies in the food sector, such as producers, industry and distributors can send their surpluses to the institution.
GNR arrests woman for drug trafficking in Monte Gordo
A 26-year-old woman, suspected of drug trafficking, was arrested on Sunday by the Republican National Guard (GNR) in Monte Gordo, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António , it was announced on Monday.
The woman was arrested after “demonstrating suspicious behaviour” when approached by the military during a patrol action carried out in the town of Monte Gordo, the GNR said in a statement.
According to that security force, the suspect who was travelling on an electric bicycle had 16 individual doses of hashish in her possession. In subsequent investigations, the GNR found that the suspect “had more narcotic products” in the house where she lived with her 26-year-old boyfriend, who was identified.
In total, authorities seized 730 individual doses of hashish, 84 doses of MDMA (synthetic drug also known as ‘ecstasy’) and around 200 euros.
The two suspects were named defendants and the case was sent to the Judicial Court of Vila Real de Santo António.
Preventive arrest for vehicle theft suspect
A 45-year-old man, arrested by the National Republican Guard (GNR) last Thursday on suspicion of vehicle theft in the Algarve municipalities of Lagos and Portimão, was remanded in pre-trial detention, it was announced on Monday.
The information was revealed, in a statement, by the Faro Territorial Command of the GNR, and the most serious coercive measure was decreed on Friday by the Court of Lagos.
The suspect’s arrest was carried out by the Criminal Investigation Unit (NIC) of the GNR of Portimão, as part of an investigation that began on May 1 and originated from a vehicle theft, the GNR reported. According to the security force, police investigations found that the suspect, in addition to stealing items from vehicles, used the victims’ bank cards to make purchases and withdraw money.
57 People Arrested in the Algarve during Road Campaign
During the week of 13 to 19 May, 155 accidents were recorded in the Algarve, resulting in 2 deaths, 3 serious injuries and 33 minor injuries. The GNR carried out a series of operations in the district of Faro, in the week, which aimed to prevent and combat violent crime, as well as road inspections.
In a statement, the National Republican Guard (GNR) said it arrested 57 people, including 17 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 13 for driving without a legal licence, and 5 for drug trafficking. Security forces also seized 818 doses of hashish, 61 doses of cocaine, 4 cell phones, and 2 precision scales.
Fatal accident sees driver and vehicle burnt near Almancil
A violent accident early this morning on the EN125 near Almancil saw the driver of a Spanish-plated Range Rover SVR V8 completely carbonised, within the vehicle, and only had a driver’s seat. It appears to have been carrying a large stash of hashish.
According to reports, three men wearing hoodies were seen removing some of the contents from the burning wreckage to another vehicle, before ‘fleeing’ at speed.
Eye witnesses have given accounts of everything they saw to GNR police, who have handed the main case to PJ judicial police.
GNR agents were able to recover at least 10 kilos of hashish (albeit charred) from the vehicle, which had otherwise been utterly destroyed.
According to reports, the unidentified driver was “caught in the blazing wreckage”. Whether he died as a result of the initial crash, or the fire (or something else), may never be fully established. The accident took place in the early hours: the Spanish-plated Range Rover hit a pillar at the viaduct off the EN125 giving access to Quarteira.
It is still unclear whether the driver had any connection to the three men who removed items from the crashed car, or indeed, what circumstances may have led to the accident. Some accounts in the media have suggested the Range Rover may have been being pursued by the car carrying the three men before it so catastrophically hit the viaduct pillar.
Tourist dies shortly after arriving at Faro Airport
A 70 year old Belgian tourist arriving from Brussels on Monday evening, died after feeling unwell and suffering a cardiac arrest near the airport’s arrival gate.
According to Portuguese TV channel TVI, the woman travelled alone on a Transavia flight to Faro, and was initially assisted by the airport’s medical emergency teams and a resuscitation vehicle from INEM. However, it was not possible to “reverse her condition of cardiorespiratory arrest, even after several attempts at resuscitation.”
The woman’s death was declared at 6:50pm, and PSP contacted the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as the death occurred in a public place and the cause was undetermined. It was only around 10:00 pm that the order was given for the body to be removed from the location.