Azores Situation Report Wednesday 10th July 2024
Two deaths in the space of a year in Ribeira dos Caldeirões
The death of the Portuguese tourist on Sunday was the second tragic incident at that tourist spot in the Northeast. In 2023, a teacher also fell and ended up dying.
In the space of a year, there were two deaths from falls in Ribeira dos Caldeirões.
The first case occurred in the summer of 2023 and claimed the life of a teacher. According to reports from a tour guide who was at the scene, the person in question fell into the river, next to the waterfall that is close to the local accommodation in Ribeira dos Caldeirões. Although she was still rescued at the scene and transported to the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, she ended up dying.
The second victim was last Sunday, a 62-year-old national tourist, who suffered a fatal fall from a height of 20 meters, after losing her balance while taking photographs.
According to information gathered by Açoriano Oriental from the fire department, the accident occurred at around 1:30 pm, at a waterfall located at a lower elevation than the regional road, close to the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park area. The victim died at the scene.
In both situations, the Northeast fire brigade highlighted the need to work on the issue of safety, whether by placing danger or prohibition signs, or placing protective guards, to prevent future occurrences.
Located in the parish of Achada, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park is one of the main tourist attractions in the municipality, known for its waterfalls, gardens and watermills. It has a trail and is very popular for canyoning.
Azores secures acquisition of land for new Ribeira Grande Health Centre
The Government of the Azores has secured the purchase of the land for the future Ribeira Grande Health Centre, an investment of over 20 million euros and a long-standing demand from the population.
“The Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Health and Social Security, has secured, through the signing of a promissory contract, the purchase of the land where the new Ribeira Grande Health Centre will be built, in São Miguel”, said the regional executive.
Bilingual Schools Program in the Azores starts next school year
The Government of the Azores will move forward next school year with training teachers for the Bilingual Schools in English program, which will be implemented in the 2025/2026 school year.
The regional secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, explained that the program, which is “voluntarily adopted by schools, will be implemented as a pedagogical experiment, and is aimed at the 1st cycle of basic education in the public and private networks of the regional education system”.
The project “has as its general principle the teaching of 30% of students’ weekly workload in English, covering English, Environmental Studies, Art Education and Physical Education”, said Sofia Ribeiro.
The program has the collaboration of the British Council and has its origins in the Bilingual Schools in English program, of the Ministry of Education.