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Azores Situation Report Thursday 31st October 2024

 

51-year-old man dies after being swept away by the sea

A 51-year-old Belgian man, who was swept away by a rip current on Monte Verde beach last Friday, ended up dying, having been declared dead in the Emergency Department of the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo.

Last Friday, a man and a child were rescued on Monte Verde beach, after being swept away by riparian waves.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the 51-year-old man and the 12-year-old child, both of Belgian nationality, were rescued “after allegedly getting into difficulties in the water, after being dragged by large swells, on Monte Verde beach, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande”.

The alert was received at 4:45 pm on Friday, through the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, with elements of the local command of the Ponta Delgada Maritime Police and the ‘Sea Watch’ project being mobilized to the location.

The National Maritime Authority revealed that, upon arrival at the scene, rescuers found that the child, assisted by a swimmer who was nearby, “was physically well, without needing medical assistance”.

The man, who was in cardiorespiratory arrest, “was rescued to land by a surfer, and was immediately assisted by lifeguards from the Ribeira Grande pools, in collaboration with members of the SRPCBA”, who later transported him to the hospital in Ponta Delgada.

According to the hospital, the man ended up dying, having been declared dead in the Hospital’s Emergency Department.

 

Seven suspects arrested for involvement in hard drug trafficking network in Ponta Delgada

The PSP arrested six men, and one woman accused of trafficking hard drugs in the parish of Livramento, in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, as part of a “family-oriented” network

Following suspicious movements near a café in the parish, the police detected “an intense and abnormal flow of drug addicts heading towards the establishment and its surrounding area”.

According to the statement released, “various indications and evidence were then collected that pointed to the existence of a network of drug traffickers, of a family nature, suspected of carrying out transactions of significant quantities of hard drugs, specifically heroin and synthetic drugs”.

The PSP carried out three house searches and 11 non-house searches, having seized synthetic drugs, money, three cars and four motorcycles, among other objects.

The seven people were brought before a criminal investigating judge at the Ponta Delgada Court, and the most serious coercive measure, preventive detention, was applied.

The PSP added that two other arrests of suspects linked to this criminal network had previously been made, with one of them being under house arrest.

 

Soldier dies in Ponta Delgada during physical condition diagnostic test

A soldier died this Wednesday following a cardiorespiratory arrest that occurred “during the physical condition diagnostic test” at the São Gonçalo Military Camp, in Ponta Delgada, announced the Army, which opened an investigation process.

“It is with pain and great consternation that the Portuguese Army announces the death of a recruit soldier from the 6th Common General Training Course for Army Enlisted Personnel, incorporated on October 21st, into the 2nd Garrison Regiment, who left prematurely and unexpectedly”, said a statement released this Wednesday.

According to the Army, the death of the 22-year-old soldier occurred at the São Gonçalo Military Camp, in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, “following a cardiorespiratory arrest that occurred during the physical condition diagnostic test (Cooper Test), which all recruit soldiers take at the beginning of their training”.

“The soldier was immediately evacuated, by ambulance, to the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada, where resuscitation manoeuvres were carried out, without success, and his death was declared at the end of the morning”, it adds.

The Army added that it “activated psychological support for the family” and opened an investigation process to determine the causes of what happened.

The soldier was from the municipality of Lagoa, on the island of São Miguel.

 

The Algarve Report Thursday 31st October 2024

 

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you all. As with last week’s introduction, the subject of Water is still very much in the minds of the people and legislatures of the Algarve. Despite the first real signs of rainfall the news from the area is not looking better. According to a report by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), only five of the 16 municipalities in the Algarve reduced water consumption in September, municipalities that still fell short of the 10% reduction target. According to data from the most recent Water Observatory in the Algarve, dated September 30, that month there was “a decrease in the performance of the 16 municipalities” in the region, in terms of compliance with the 10% reduction in urban consumption defined in June by the Government.

The five Algarve municipalities that reduced water consumption in September, compared to the same period in 2023, were Lagoa, Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António, Alcoutim and Castro Marim, having, however, fallen “short of the 10% reduction target”, “With regard to accumulated urban consumption between January and September [2024], there was a reduction in the region of 8.0%, which translates into savings of around 4.7 million cubic metres, compared to the reference period [January to September 2023]”,

In the Algarve region, since May 2022, water storage levels in reservoirs have been below 50%, with the lack of replenishment during wet periods generating a continuous deficit in the use of available surface and groundwater.

The current situation of water reserves in the Algarve region, particularly in 2022 and 2023, in which values ​​were recorded below the 20th percentile, determines that current water uses “cannot be adequately satisfied with existing reserves in surface and groundwater”, states the APA. “The rainfall that occurred during the months of March and April allowed an increase in the volumes stored in the reference reservoirs in the Algarve region, allowing, between January 1st and April 30th, an increase in the stored volume by a further 84 cubic hectometres (hm3)”, he adds. According to the APA, this situation “makes it possible, albeit cautiously, to reduce the level of reduction in volumes allocated for different uses and ecological flows without, however, neglecting that at the end of December 2024 the useful volume stored in the reservoirs guarantees one year of public supply”.

Twelve districts on the mainland will be under a yellow warning this Wednesday and Thursday due to the forecast of showers, which could sometimes be heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

We can but hope that the expected rainfall in the next couple of weeks helps ease the situation.

Now a look at some of the other stories around the region this week.

GNR Arrest Man in Portimão for Drug Dealing

The National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested a 37-year-old man this Friday for drug trafficking, in the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, in the municipality of Tavira. The arrest took place as part of a road inspection operation. The man was found to be carrying money and several types of drugs.

“The arrest took place as part of a road inspection operation, during which the Guard’s military personnel, upon approaching the driver, identified a quantity of a narcotic product in his possession”, explains the GNR in a statement.

During the operation, the military confirmed that they were dealing with 36 individual doses of cocaine, which resulted in their immediate arrest and a search of the vehicle, where 339.90 euros in cash, a mobile phone and a light vehicle were seized.

During the investigation, a search was carried out at the detainee’s residence, where more narcotics and other objects of criminal relevance were found, culminating in the seizure of 208 doses of cocaine, 120 doses of hashish, two doses of marijuana, five rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone, 160 euros in cash and packaging bags and cutting material for individualising the doses.

The detainee was brought before the Loulé Judicial Court, and was subject to the coercive measures of weekly periodic presentations and a ban on contact with individuals associated with drug use.

Albufeira Rally to be held this weekend

The Albufeira Municipal Rally is back on the road, on the 2nd and 3rd of November, for what will be the seventh edition. This will mean some road closures so make sure you are aware if they are close to you.

The event, which is an initiative of the Clube Automóvel do Sul with support from the Municipality, under the auspices of the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation, counts towards the Start Sul Rally Championship and the 2RM Start Sul Rally Championship.

The competition kicks off on Saturday the 2nd, with the night-time Super Special. Avenida dos Descobrimentos was once again the chosen stage for the tests and demonstrations of tricks, drifts and acrobatics, which begin at 9pm, between the Albufeira Fire Station intersection and the Relógios roundabout, covering a distance of over 2 kilometres.

On Sunday, the 3rd, the 35 registered drivers will compete in three stages. In the parish of Ferreiras, the Rally will take place at 10:04, 12:05 and 14:06; in Paderne at 10:27, 12:28 and 14:29 and in Guia at 10:55, 12:56 and 14:57.

In a note, Albufeira City Council highlights that, due to the event, some of the roads will be restricted during the competition hours, however traffic will flow in accordance with the instructions of the National Republican Guard.

The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday at 4:00 pm on the podium installed in the car park next to the Court.

José Carlos Rolo, Mayor of Albufeira, revealed that “the growing interest and participation of the public consolidates the event as one of the most important events in the south of the country, making it a reference in the region’s automobile scene, with an increasingly important role for the municipality”.

Public Awareness Exercise for Seismic Risk – A TERRA TREME on 5 November

The 12th edition of the Public Awareness Exercise for Seismic Risk – A TERRA TREME, organised by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), will take place on November 5th, at 11:05 am.

The initiative consists of a national exercise promoted annually by ANEPC, in collaboration with several public and private entities, and which aims to “enable the population to know how to act in the event of an earthquake”. “Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake, namely knowing the preventive measures and self-protection behaviours to adopt, is the purpose of this journey that we propose to all citizens”, says ANEPC in a statement. The exercise involves performing three simple gestures that can make a difference to those who practise them in the event of an earthquake. The exercise lasts one minute, during which participants, individually or collectively (families, schools, companies, public, private or association institutions), will have to perform the three self-protection gestures: Get Down, Protect and Wait.

“The initiative has had significant support from the school population, thanks also to the involvement of the Directorate-General for Education (DGE) and the Directorate-General for School Establishments (DGEsTE)”, he stresses. In conjunction with these partners, ANEPC, with the support of the municipality of Silves, is promoting a main event of the exercise at the Dr. Garcia Domingues Basic School, in Silves , at Praceta, Largo Gil Eanes 1, 8300-118 Silves.

At the end of this action, a LIVEX Exercise will take place, with the movement of real resources on the ground, for sectoral testing of the Special Civil Protection Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk and Tsunamis in the Algarve, in the Search, Help and Rescue Intervention area, with seven different scenarios, in the municipalities of Portimão and Silves.

In Praia da Rocha, in partnership with the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Portimão, the pilot project sirens of the population warning system, installed in that bathing area, will be activated, with subsequent “evacuation of people and animals from the identified risk areas, through the marked routes to the meeting points, carrying out the emergency procedures that follow a tsunami alert”. Over the course of successive editions, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority has sought to “broaden reflection and debate around the issue of seismic risk and knowledge about what to do before, during and after an earthquake to all sectors of civil society”, particularly within the scope of “the inclusion of people with disabilities, in order to achieve greater resilience, both individual and collective, among the population”.

Throughout the country, the Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Commands (CREPC) and the Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Commands of ANEPC will promote, in partnership with local educational communities, Fire Departments, Municipal Civil Protection Services and other civil protection agents, awareness-raising actions on the subject of seismic risk and self-protection measures to face it, as well as carrying out the exercise A TERRA TREME.

Citizens and entities can participate by registering here .https://www.aterratreme.pt/

This edition of A TERRA TREME coincides with World Tsunami Awareness Day, highlighting “the importance of an informed and resilient society in the face of natural disasters”.

MAN TRIES TO ESCAPE WITH A FIREARM AFTER HIS CAR COLLIDES WITH A POLICE CAR

The PSP arrested two men on Friday last night, for driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession of a firearm, qualified damage and resistance and coercion against an employee, in Olhão.

During a patrol at 03:20 am, “the driver of a vehicle, upon noticing the presence of the patrol car, fled”, says the PSP. Given the suspicious behaviour, the vehicle was “followed and subsequently stopped”, with the support of another patrol car.

When the suspect’s vehicle stopped, “the passenger, who was brandishing a rifle, immediately fled on foot and was caught a short distance away”, the police explained. When ordered to drop the weapon, the man “did not initially comply, so the police officer fired a warning shot into the air”. The suspect immediately “threw the weapon to the ground, and it was possible to handcuff him and subsequently arrest him”.

At the same time, after the passenger had exited, with his path blocked by the police vehicle, with its lights and sirens on, the driver of the suspects’ vehicle began to drive towards the police vehicle, violently colliding with it, causing damage”.

Despite the damage caused and the attempted escape, the police stressed that it was “possible to intercept the driver and arrest him”. The immediate police investigation resulted in the seizure of €2500 euros, the “origin of which they were unable to prove”, as well as a knife. After the driver was subjected to a breathalyser test, he was found to have a blood alcohol level of 1.61 g/l.

ALGARVE RAILWAY LINE CLOSED AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT IN OLHÃO

The Algarve railway line was closed earlier this morning, after a railway accident at around 07:45 am in Marim (Olhão), causing one fatality.

A source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command said that the victim was crossing the railway line on foot when he was hit by the train, in the Marim area, in Olhão.

By 8:30 am, 18 members of the fire department, INEM, GNR and Infraestruturas de Portugal were on site, supported by seven vehicles.

The line runs across the Algarve, connecting the railway stations of Vila Real de Santo António and Lagos.

That’s all for this edition. Until the next time stay safe.

 

 

 

Safe Communities Portugal Safety and Security Report Thursday 31st October 2024

 

Good afternoon everyone. We start with the tragic news of the loss of almost one hundred lives in Spain due to the catastrophic flash floods that have killed at least 95 people. This was caused by a destructive weather system in which cold and warm air meet and produce powerful rain clouds, a pattern believed to be growing more frequent due to climate change.

The phenomenon is known locally as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression, and unlike common storms or squalls it can form independently of polar or subtropical jet streams. When cold air blows over warm Mediterranean waters it causes hotter air to rise quickly and form dense, water-laden clouds that can remain over the same area for many hours, raising their destructive potential. The event sometimes provokes large hail storms and tornadoes as seen this week, meteorologists say.

Eastern and Southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to its position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Warm, humid air masses and cold fronts meet in a region where mountains favour the formation of storm clouds and rainfall. This week’s DANA was one of the three most intense such storms in the last century in the Valencia region, Ruben del Campo, spokesperson for the national weather agency Aemet, said.

“Forecasts were in line with what happened. But in an area between Utiel and Chiva, in the province of Valencia, rainfall exceeded 300 millimetres. In that area, storm systems formed and regenerated continuously,” he explained.

DANA has now moved its centre and it’s over the mainland Portugal and we will continue to receive its influence hence the yellow warnings for rain. But here the situation is forecasted to be very different. Because the CAPE (potential energy for thunderstorms) is much lower, it can be 2 to 3 times lower, and even lower at times! This leads to situations, which do not have the violence that we have been seeing in Spain, especially in the Valencia area.

Unfortunately it does not appear to be over. Heavy rains again severely affect the province of Valencia. Red warnings have already been issued due to heavy rainfall that will remain extremely intense until tomorrow. Between 200/350 millimetres of rain may be recorded in the next 36 hours. We would advise not to travel to Valencia unless you really need to do so – in which case take extra care. If you are in or about to travel to Spain carefully check the weather and in particular the weather warnings that may be in place.

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) will hold on November 5th, at 11:05 am, the 12th edition of the Public Awareness Exercise for Seismic Risk – A TERRA TREME (www.aterratreme.pt). It is important that as many people as possible participate, as it helps create greater awareness on the action to take during an earthquake, which can occur without warning at any time in any place. Knowing instinctively the correction action to take can reduce casualties.

A little piece of good news. The strike by ticket inspectors and workers at CP — Comboios de Portugal, which was running until November 3, has been suspended after the company reached an agreement with the union, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing announced. CP — Comboio de Portugal reached an agreement with the Commercial Itinerant Review Railway Union (SFRCI) after “a negotiation period that allowed a consensus to be reached”, the ministry overseen by Miguel Pinto Luz announced today, in a statement sent to the Lusa news agency.

With that our team at Safe Communities wish you all a safe week ahead.

 

News:

A Terra Treme Exercise – Preparation Action for Seismic risk

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) will hold on November 5th, at 11:05 am, the 12th edition of the Public Awareness Exercise for Seismic Risk – A TERRA TREME (www.aterratreme.pt).

This is a national exercise promoted annually by ANEPC, in collaboration with various public and private entities, which aims to enable the population to know how to act in the event of an earthquake. Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake, in particular knowing the preventive measures and self-protection behaviours to be adopted, is the purpose of this journey that we propose to all citizens.

The exercise involves carrying out 3 simple gestures that can make a difference for those who practice them in the event of an earthquake. The action takes place for one (1) minute, in which participants, individually or collectively (families, schools, companies, public, private or associative institutions), are invited to perform the 3 self-protection gestures: Download, Protect and Wait.

The initiative has had significant support from the school population, also thanks to the involvement of the Directorate-General for Education (DGE) and the Directorate-General for School Establishments (DGEsTE). Together with these partners, ANEPC, with the support of Silves City Hall, promotes a main exercise event at Escola Básica Dr. Garcia Domingues, in Silves, located at Praceta, Largo Gil Eanes 1, 8300-118 Silves.

At the end of this action, a LIVEX Exercise (Live Exercise) will take place, with the movement of real resources on the ground, as a sectoral test of the Special Civil Protection Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk and Tsunamis in the Algarve, in the Search and Rescue Intervention area. Rescue, with 7 different scenarios – PROCIVALG_24.2, in the municipalities of Portimão and Silves, in the Barlavento Algarvio.

In Praia da Rocha, in partnership with the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Portimão, the sirens of the pilot project of the population warning system, installed in that bathing area, will be activated, with subsequent evacuation of people and animals from the identified risk areas, through signposted routes to meeting points, carrying out emergency procedures following a tsunami warning.

Throughout successive editions, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority has sought to expand reflection and debate around the topic of seismic risk and knowledge about what to do before, during and after an earthquake for all sectors of society civil, notably within the scope of the inclusion of people with disabilities, in order to achieve greater individual and collective resilience among the population.

In this sense, and under the United Nations motto “No One Left Behind”, ANEPC will promote, in partnership with the Municipal Civil Protection Service of Nazaré, at CERCINA – Education, Rehabilitation, Training and Inclusion Cooperative of Nazaré, at the minute pre-defined for the Exercise, the 3 protective gestures in the event of an earthquake, as well as the evacuation of users to a Population Concentration and Support Zone, set up at the Nazaré Sports Gym, Municipal Sports Complex, Areal. With this initiative, it is expected to be able to learn lessons in order to prepare both civil protection agents and residential social responses for existing risks and specific action in an emergency context with a population that presents vulnerabilities.

Across the country, the Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Commands (CREPC) and the ANEPC Sub-regional Emergency and Civil Protection Commands will promote, in partnership with local educational communities, Fire Departments, Municipal Civil Protection Services and the other civil protection agents, awareness actions on the topic of seismic risk and self-protection measures to combat it, as well as carrying out the exercise A TERRA TREME.

ANEPC invites citizens to participate and register at www.aterratreme.pt, reinforcing its commitment to safety and preparedness for seismic risk. This edition of A TERRA TREME coincides with World Tsunami Risk Awareness Day, highlighting the importance of an informed and resilient society in the face of natural disasters.

All information at www.aterratreme.pt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 30th October 2024

51-year-old man dies after being swept away by the sea

A 51-year-old Belgian man, who was swept away by a rip current on Monte Verde beach last Friday, ended up dying, having been declared dead in the Emergency Department of the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo.

Last Friday, a man and a child were rescued on Monte Verde beach, after being swept away by riparian waves.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the 51-year-old man and the 12-year-old child, both of Belgian nationality, were rescued “after allegedly getting into difficulties in the water, after being dragged by large swells, on Monte Verde beach, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande”.

The alert was received at 4:45 pm on Friday, through the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, with elements of the local command of the Ponta Delgada Maritime Police and the ‘Sea Watch’ project being mobilized to the location.

The National Maritime Authority revealed that, upon arrival at the scene, rescuers found that the child, assisted by a swimmer who was nearby, “was physically well, without needing medical assistance”.

The man, who was in cardiorespiratory arrest, “was rescued to land by a surfer, and was immediately assisted by lifeguards from the Ribeira Grande pools, in collaboration with members of the SRPCBA”, who later transported him to the hospital in Ponta Delgada.

According to the hospital, the man ended up dying, having been declared dead in the Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Seven suspects arrested for involvement in hard drug trafficking network in Ponta Delgada

The PSP arrested six men, and one woman accused of trafficking hard drugs in the parish of Livramento, in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, as part of a “family-oriented” network

Following suspicious movements near a café in the parish, the police detected “an intense and abnormal flow of drug addicts heading towards the establishment and its surrounding area”.

According to the statement released, “various indications and evidence were then collected that pointed to the existence of a network of drug traffickers, of a family nature, suspected of carrying out transactions of significant quantities of hard drugs, specifically heroin and synthetic drugs”.

The PSP carried out three house searches and 11 non-house searches, having seized synthetic drugs, money, three cars and four motorcycles, among other objects.

The seven people were brought before a criminal investigating judge at the Ponta Delgada Court, and the most serious coercive measure, preventive detention, was applied.

The PSP added that two other arrests of suspects linked to this criminal network had previously been made, with one of them being under house arrest.

Soldier dies in Ponta Delgada during physical condition diagnostic test

A soldier died this Wednesday following a cardiorespiratory arrest that occurred “during the physical condition diagnostic test” at the São Gonçalo Military Camp, in Ponta Delgada, announced the Army, which opened an investigation process.

“It is with pain and great consternation that the Portuguese Army announces the death of a recruit soldier from the 6th Common General Training Course for Army Enlisted Personnel, incorporated on October 21st, into the 2nd Garrison Regiment, who left prematurely and unexpectedly”, said a statement released this Wednesday.

According to the Army, the death of the 22-year-old soldier occurred at the São Gonçalo Military Camp, in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, “following a cardiorespiratory arrest that occurred during the physical condition diagnostic test (Cooper Test), which all recruit soldiers take at the beginning of their training”.

“The soldier was immediately evacuated, by ambulance, to the Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo, in Ponta Delgada, where resuscitatation were carried out, without success, and his death was declared at the end of the morning”, it adds.

The Army added that it “activated psychological support for the family” and opened an investigation process to determine the causes of what happened.

The soldier was from the municipality of Lagoa, on the island of São Miguel.

 

 

The Algarve Report Wednesday 23rd October 2024

 

by Mike Evans

 

A very good afternoon to you all. As someone who spent the whole of his working life in the travel and tourism industry, and along with many others made the decision to relocate to the Algarve after experiencing the area on a holiday or two it comes as no surprise that the sustainability of the industry for the region is at the top of the agenda so that the benefits of this area can continue to provide many people with a livelihood but by maintaining the beauty of the place.

This week the, president of Turismo de Portugal, Carlos Abade, who was participating in the seminar “The Impact of Tourism on Trade and Development of Cities”, in Vila Real de Santo António cited the idea that Human resources, sustainability and technology are key aspects to be incorporated into the Tourism Strategy 2035 so that the sector can grow and create wealth for the economy,Carlos Abade participated in the seminar “The Impact of Tourism on Commerce and Development of Cities”, promoted by the Algarve Region Commerce and Services Association ( ACRAL ), in Vila Real de Santo António , and highlighted the importance that these three items will have for the future of a tourism sector that, in 2023, represented 20% of national exports and generated revenues of around 25,000 million euros. “And this is the result of work that has been done by many, mainly by companies”, according to Abade, considering that the value that has been generated “for the tourism sector, but above all for Portugal and for other sectors of activity as well” is “quite significant”.

Carlos Abade highlighted that, at this moment, the reality “is different” from that which existed in 2017, when Strategy 2027 was prepared, and tourism is currently facing “dimensions that are clearly more challenging” for its future development. “We have the issue of human resources, on the one hand the issue of attracting talent and on the other hand the issue of training, qualification and valuing tourism professionals”, he pointed out, stressing that this is “an important tool in improving people’s quality of life and promoting their well-being”.Carlos Abade stressed that the wealth generated by tourism activity “does not only benefit the tourism sector and “benefits practically all economic activities”, because it involves a set of other activities that also benefit from tourism. For all of us who live amongst this beautiful region we hope that the need to be sustainable does not get lost in the future chasing more and more people.

This brings me onto one of the issues we are all facing,the lack of water! The contract for the design, construction and operation of the future desalination plant in the Algarve, which should be built by the end of 2026, was signed this Tuesday, the 22nd, in Albufeira in the presence of the Prime Minister. The contract award, which represents an investment of around 108 million euros, is part of the Algarve Regional Water Efficiency Plan, framed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

The project to build a desalination plant in the municipality of Albufeira is one of the measures in response to the drought affecting the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, as part of a package of measures launched by the previous Government. The infrastructure will have an initial capacity of 16 million cubic metres (m3), but the company is designing it to have the capacity to treat up to three times more than that volume, that is, up to 24 million m3 of water.

 

Now a look at some of the other stories from across the region.

 

Albufeira Institutions Promote Water Preservation Among Students

More than a dozen institutions in Albufeira will join forces to promote sustainability and water preservation, through a series of educational, cultural, sporting and citizenship activities , aimed at 425 1st cycle students in the Parish of Ferreiras , tomorrow, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

The event of the educational project “O Arco Íris” will feature a diverse program, where children will be the protagonists. Throughout the afternoon, artistic pieces will be created live by students of the Art Club of the Agrupamento de Escolas de Ferreiras, with surprise moments that will reinforce the community spirit.

“Several collective sports, such as volleyball, football and basketball, will reinforce the value of teamwork”, highlights the Albufeira Activa Association, in a press release.

The presence of the Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters’ marching band will provide a special moment, allowing children to have a unique interaction with the Fire Department.

“The initiative will be a celebration of education, culture, sport, citizenship and sustainability, providing children with an inspiring afternoon full of learning”, reinforces the organisation.

In this way, “’O Arco da Íris’ is a commitment to the education of our children and the future of our community. We believe that, by involving schools, associations and families, we are building a more conscious and supportive Albufeira”, says Ricardo Xufre, president of the Albufeira Activa Association.

 

Search for Missing Fisherman Called off in Aljezur

The search for the fisherman who has been missing since Saturday, the 19th, in Aljezur, was interrupted at sunset without results, the National Maritime Authority ( AMN ) reported today.

The 25-year-old man allegedly fell into the sea while recreational fishing on Saturday afternoon at Bordeira beach in Aljezur. After a day and a half of searching by sea, land and air, the work “was interrupted late this afternoon without the victim being found”, AMN reported in a statement.

The work throughout the day, coordinated by the captain of the Port of Lagos , was carried out with a device made up of crew members from the Sagres lifeguard station, by sea, while on land, elements from the port captaincy and the local command of the Lagos Maritime Police, the “SeaWatch” project and the Aljezur Volunteer Firefighters, supported by a drone, travelled along the coast, indicated AMN.

“A Portuguese Air Force aircraft was also taking part in the search,” he added. Work will resume on Monday morning, the National Maritime Authority said, highlighting that the Maritime Police’s psychology office has been providing support to the missing man’s family.

The search had been restarted this Sunday at 7:30 am, by sea, land and air, with an air force vehicle, with the perimeter having been “adjusted, given the period of time that has elapsed” since the alert was given about the fisherman falling into the sea, on Saturday, at 2:40 pm.

“Friends of the victim who are at the scene will be included in the search on land,” the port captain said at the same time. The alert was received on Saturday, through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisboa).

 

Algarve Algae Removal to be Completed Next Week in Portimao

The mayor of Portimão has estimated that the work to remove the “several tons of algae” that has accumulated on Praia da Rocha for two weeks could be completed by the beginning of next week. “It is a time-consuming job that started on Monday and is being done with heavy machinery. Given the large amount of algae, we expect the removal to last for a week”, Álvaro Bila told Lusa agency.

The high concentration of algae on the beaches of Rocha and Vau, in the municipality of Portimão, in the district of Faro, has been occurring for two weeks, a phenomenon that “began to have greater visibility” last week with the spring tides, said the mayor.

“Although the accumulated quantity of these organisms is very significant, there was no need to close the bathing areas, unlike what happened last month, with the closure, for two days, of Barranco das Canas beach”, he stressed.

In total, said the mayor, “120 trucks loaded with algae were removed from Alemão beach, which represents several tons of the marine organisms.”

Since 2021, large concentrations of brown and red algae have been recurrent on beaches in the western (western) Algarve. The accumulation of these invasive species has led municipal and regional entities to classify this as “an already normal situation”, according to the mayor of that municipality in the district of Faro.

“Given the recurrence of the phenomenon, since 2021 we have launched an annual procedure worth €50,000 to clean the beaches, as the municipality does not have heavy machinery for this type of service”, explained Álvaro Bila. According to the mayor, the cleaning of the beaches only began on Monday “because there was an expectation that the sea would take back the algae”.

“As this did not happen, we had to move on to cleaning with heavy machinery, carried out by a private company”, noted the mayor, stressing that, so far, no contamination of the water caused by algae has been detected.

The phenomenon is monitored by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), which analyses the quality of bathing waters daily.

 

25-year-old Arrested by GNR in Albufeira for Robbery

The National Republican Guard (GNR) arrested a 25-year-old man this Saturday for the crime of robbery, in the municipality of Albufeira. After a complaint, the GNR managed to locate and detain the individual, having recovered the stolen items.

Following a report of robbery involving violence in a nightlife area of ​​the city of Albufeira, “the Guard’s military personnel immediately carried out investigations that allowed the individual to be located and detained”, explains the GNR in a statement.

During the police investigations, it was possible to verify that the suspect was still in possession of stolen material and narcotics, with the National Republican Guard having seized a mobile phone, 15 doses of hashish and 30 euros in cash.

The detainee was brought before the Portimão Judicial Court for the application of coercive measures.

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 23rd October 2024

Terra Nostra Park Thermal Tank undergoing enhancement and modernization works

The Thermal Tank of the Terra Nostra Park, in Furnas, will undergo improvement works, starting on Monday, in order to offer a new landscape setting and modernize the maintenance system.

According to a press release, at the beginning of 2025, the thermal tank will once again be accessible to all visitors.

Designed by architect Luís Paulo Faria Ribeiro, the project has as its “great priority the reorganization and enhancement of the surroundings of the Thermal Tank of the Terra Nostra Park”, states the press release.

“The proposed intervention strategy is strongly based on the heritage value of Terra Nostra Park, in its landscape, botanical, environmental and tourist dimensions. Of particular importance in this process is the fact that the Tank and its surroundings constitute the area where the park originated, the oldest one, and at the same time the area with the greatest affluence and current use for recreation and leisure”, explained Luís Paulo Faria Ribeiro.

The intervention, planned over a year ago, also includes the modernization of the Thermal Tank maintenance system, namely by forced recirculation of the entire volume of thermal water in ultraviolet systems, to promote more efficient and sustainable management, without altering the idiosyncrasy of these waters, which are so appreciated.

Visitors to Parque Terra Nostra, which is permanently open, can continue to enjoy the beauty and botanical richness of this centuries-old park.

Three new services for the homeless in Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada City Council and the Regional Government are preparing to create three new decentralized services to welcome and intervene with homeless people in the municipality

In consultation with the Regional Government, three new services will be created to welcome and intervene with homeless people in the municipality.

They are working to create new points of approach to these situations, both the Ponta Delgada City Council and the Regional Government, and very soon a set of infrastructures will be announced that will be created precisely to mitigate these effects of poverty and social exclusion, through the creation of overnight accommodation, food and hygiene areas.

Recognizing that homelessness is a problem in Ponta Delgada, the mayor argued that the response to this problem requires a diverse set of actions, given the different profiles that these citizens present.

 

Safe Communities Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 23rd October 2024

Good morning everyone: We start with a reminder that the A Terra Treme Earthquake awareness exercise coinciding with Tsunami Day will take place on 5th November 2024. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) promotes the national seismic risk awareness exercise, which Safe Communities Portugal has supported in a number of ways.

This initiative is part of the activities that form part of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection and aims to empower the population to know how to act before, during and after an earthquake, sensitizing citizens to the fact of living in a risk society, and challenging themselves o to get involved in the process of building safer and more resilient communities.

The exercise comprises the practice of 3 simple gestures that can make a difference to those who practice them in the face of an earthquake. The action takes place during one (1) minute, in which the participants, individually or collectively, are invited to perform the 3 self-protection gestures: DROP, COVER, HOLD. Everyone can and should participate: individually or in groups, wherever they are. It is important that everyone is aware of what to do in the event of an earthquake so please help promote it and register here.

A reminder of the law concerning the burning of cut and piled waste. From 1st June to 31st October: Regardless of fire risk in the municipality concerned i.e. Low, Moderate, High, Very high or maximum, “Authorization is required. Initial status reported: Pending awaiting Council decision. Post-decision states reported: “Authorized” or “Unauthorized”. However, some municipalities have imposed a blanket ban regardless of risk up to 31st October.

From 1st November to 31st May: Low, Moderate or HIGH fire risk: Requests are made in the form of prior communication (does not require a decision process) Status reported: “Meets conditions” https://fogos.icnf.pt/InfoQueimasQueimadas/ Very High or Maximum fire risk “Authorization is required. Initial status reported: Pending awaiting Council decision. Post-decision states reported: “Authorized” or “Unauthorized”.

Ensure that if you are burning cut and piled waste all the safety conditions are complied with. If no prior communication is made or the fire is not authorised this can result in a very heavy fine.

Some information, following the news about an ICNF worker dying after a wasp sting. The man died after going into cardiorespiratory arrest, whilst on duty in the north of Portugal

Asian hornet first appeared in Europe in France in 2004. Six years later their presence was confirmed in Spain. In 2011 it appeared in Portugal. In just over a decade, the Asian hornet occupied a large part of mainland Portugal, with thousands of insects flying across the country.  Like other wasps, their life cycle is annual and begins in spring, when the young queen wakes up from hibernation, hidden away from bad weather but outside the nest, in trees, on the ground or in rock crevices.

Generally, an Asian hornet sting causes only a local reaction, with pain, itching, redness and swelling at the site of the sting.  People however with a history of allergic reactions, a severe allergic reaction – anaphylaxis – the symptoms appear a few minutes after the bite and have varying degrees of severity. Whenever an Asian wasp nest is detected, the municipal civil protection services should be contacted;

Or Contact with GNR | SOS Environment line | 808 200 520;

On Monday Safe Communities held our General meeting with a turnout of 14 members which was very good for an organisation of our size. There were no changes in the composition off the management team of Fiscal Council. An excellent opportunity for people to get together with members on-line from the Azores and Canada. Apart from routine business we discussed our activities over the last year and some of our plans for the future. We also discussed some of the results of our recent Preparedness for Natural Hazards survey which we will publish survey.

Lastly please be aware that the police are cracking down on drivers using mobile phones whilst driving. Last week alone the GNR caught near 700 so be aware!

Our team wishes you a safe week ahead

News

Nelas municipality with losses of over 1.5 million euros

The municipality of Nelas recorded losses of over 1.5 million euros in the agricultural sector and municipal equipment due to the fires in September, the Mayor revealed today.

“We are talking about almost 1.53 million euros. Of these, almost 700,000 euros in municipal equipment and infrastructure”, said the president, Joaquim Amaral.

The total losses also include more than 500 thousand euros relating to small farmers, a figure that has not yet been finalised, and almost 350 thousand euros relate to the Mining Development Company (EDM).

Among the municipal facilities, the president said that Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and pumping stations were seriously affected, as well as a football stadium in Vale de Madeiros, among other facilities.

With a total of 2,305 hectares of burnt area, “mostly forest land, followed by agricultural land”, the president specified that the fire destroyed “essentially vineyards, olive groves and agricultural land of the family subsistence economy”, with “some small and medium-sized enterprises”.

“Mainly elderly people, but we are also talking about many young people with businesses in areas such as pig farming, rabbit farming, poultry farming, winemaking and the raising of sheep and goats to produce the milk used in the manufacture of Serra da Estrela cheese”, he said.

In the municipality of Nelas, the flames consumed a house in the parish of Senhorim, which, according to the mayor, is identified as being a first home, but did not reach any businesses.

“Although the fire was close to all business areas, particularly the two in Nelas and Canas de Senhorim, fortunately it was possible to control it,” he said.

However, he added, indirect impacts may be assessed, caused “by the intense heat, which may have influenced products and equipment”.

Nine people died and more than 170 were injured as a result of the fires that hit last week, mainly in the North and Center regions of Portugal.

Between September 15 and 20, forest fires consumed around 135,000 hectares, bringing the total area burned in Portugal this year to almost 147,000 hectares.

Black Friday: Portuguese people are expected to spend an average of around 300 euros, more than last year

This year, more Portuguese people are interested in shopping on Black Friday. Fashion continues to be the most sought-after category. Travel appears for the first time in the top 5 of purchasing intentions.

This year, the Portuguese are expected to spend more money on Black Friday. On average, most people plan to spend 311 euros. In total, the turnover in Portugal will be between 130 and 140 million euros.

The tradition is North American, but Black Friday has already become a habit in Portugal. Brands from different sectors offer promotions.

There are more Portuguese people interested than last year. The week before or the week of the event, they want to “go” to Black Friday to take advantage of the special discounts. The opportunities are transversal to many categories, but fashion, which includes clothing, footwear and accessories, continues to be the most sought after.

The annual study by blackfriday.pt, an international start up dedicated to Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions in Portugal, reveals the predictions for Black Friday week: 130 to 140 million this year.

The study was carried out between October 7 and 12 and included 428 participants, aged between 18 and 74.

74% of respondents intend to take advantage of promotions, which represents a slight increase compared to 2023.

The purchases will be made mainly by women and the majority of buyers are from the

How much will the Portuguese spend?

The majority of Portuguese people (71%) plan to spend an average of 311 euros, an increase of 7% compared to the previous year, when they spent 290 euros.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 16th October 2024

Good afternoon. This week we commemorate all those who lost their lives in the October 2017 rural fires. In just over 24 hours there were over 500 fires in 40 municipalities in the Centre and North region on mainland Portugal. 51 people died. In addition nearly 1,500 homes and 500 businesses were damaged or destroyed and 290,000 hectares of forest burned.

The independent technical commission created by the Assembly of the Republic to analyse what happened concluded that the fires of October 2017 were an unprecedented phenomenon, resulting from the combination of meteorological factors. Still, the report pointed out several shortcomings: it failed to “forecast and schedule” the ability to “minimize the extent” of fires in the face of weather forecasts of high temperatures and wind.

Just a day before the fires the President of the Republic had spoken about the findings of the report into the Pedrogão Grande fire in June (where 66 had died and 204 injured). Just prior to the October fires the IPMA had issued orange warnings due to the approach of Hurricane Ophelia with associated high temperatures. The warnings were there.

Many lessons have been learned from these terrible events with so many lives lost, homes destroyed and businesses and livelihoods lost. Many actions have been put in place and still to be completed to prevent similar tragedies, with an increased emphasis on prevention and self-protection.

From fire to floods. There is little doubt that October has been a very wet month. In terms of percentage distribution by classes of the PDSI index on the continent, at the end of September it was found: 1.5% in the moderate rain class, 4.8% in the light rain class, 24.2% in the normal class, 23.3% in the weak drought class, 32.4% in the moderate drought class and 13.6% in the severe drought class.  The moderate and severe drought class affects the southern half of the mainland, although with the rains this month in the south this should improve the situation.

The cause of much of the bad weather has been the depressions mainly forming in the Atlantic and the remnants of various hurricanes such as the remnants of Hurricane Milton that merged with Tropical Storm Leslie. IPMA yellow and orange warnings have been issued as well as ANEPC with preventive measures. It is important that everyone reads these in order to help protect themselves as well as their property. The warnings are issued in respect of the weather forecasts.

These forecasts are based on various models. Given the nature of precipitation this does not mean that it will be continuous in districts where a warning has been issued say an orange warning. Showers imply the weather will change a lot during the day with rain on and off, whereas rain will bring continuous wet weather for hours at a time, and then it will clear. Where it states “showers which may be heavy at times”, it means exactly that. It is quite hit and miss where they occur, and this means that you could get heavy showers on and off through the day, whereas in the next town their weather stays dry all day

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) annually promotes the nationwide Public Exercise to Raise Awareness of Seismic Risk, called A TERRA TREME (www.aterratreme.pt). https://www.aterratreme.pt/o-exercicio/

This year, the 12th Edition will take place on 5th November, at 11:05 hrs, coinciding with World Tsunami Awareness Day.

The objective of this exercise is to train the population to know how to act before, during and after an earthquake namely to know the preventive measures and self-protection behaviours to adopt to protect themselves. There will be more on this as we approach the date. We encourage everyone to participate.

With that our team wishes you all a safe week ahead.

News

MAI considers video surveillance an asset to prevent crime in Porto

The Ministry of Internal Affairs today considered video surveillance to be an added value for preventing and combating crime in Porto, but warned of the need for a balance between promoting security and respecting freedoms.

A few hours after the announcement that the Government had given authorization to the municipality of Porto to proceed with the expansion of video surveillance, the order was published in the Official Gazette.

“Video surveillance systems are an added value in preventing and combating crime and in promoting collective security and this is an inescapable fact in the municipality of Porto”, reads the order signed by the Secretary of State for Internal Administration, Telmo Correia.

Despite the importance of these systems, the Ministry warns that their implementation must “always follow best practices and a balance” between promoting security and respecting citizens’ rights and freedoms.

In this sense, the authorization for the expansion of the system requires compliance with several conditions, some of which had already been highlighted by the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) in the two opinions it issued in this regard.

“The video surveillance system must be operated in such a way as to guarantee the effective safeguarding of privacy and security, fully complying with the applicable legal provisions and the recommendations made”, it indicates.

In the ruling, the supervisory authority also states that it is up to the PSP, in conjunction with other public entities, to ensure compliance with the CNPD’s recommendations, especially with regard to technical and monitoring issues, such as the need for the system to contain means of alerting in the event of unauthorized access attempts.

The 117 cameras, to be installed on streets in the Asprela, Campanhã, Estádio do Dragão, Pasteleira and Diogo Botelho areas, will join the 79 cameras that began operating on June 22, 2023 in the city center and which have already preserved images relating to 910 criminal proceedings.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 16th October 2024

Azorean donkey milk exported for human consumption and cosmetic products

Asinus Atlânticus: a company born out of chance that produces more than 100 litres of donkey milk per day for the United States, Romania, the Czech Republic and France.

The product is in demand due to its similarity to breast milk. “It is the closest thing to breast milk that exists in nature, with a protein profile that is almost 100% identical. This gives it unique characteristics, not only in terms of nutrition, but also in terms of cosmetics. As for nutrition, it is a hypoallergenic milk, and its benefits for the respiratory system are widely known. Older people will all remember that donkey milk was used to treat whooping cough. After Covid, consumption soared, especially in markets in northern Europe.

In the Middle Ages, alongside orphanages, there were always large asylums that allowed newborns who were left on wheels to be fed. It is this culture that we are recovering with a large national study that we will begin next year. As for cosmetics, just talk about Cleopatra and her daily beauty bath in the milk obtained from the milking of 100 donkeys. In fact, donkey milk stimulates the production of collagen in the skin and this was Cleopatra’s empirical secret, which the cosmetics industry has now recovered”, says the businessman who laments all the contingencies of insularity in the export of the product. “Distance is a factor that has enormous costs, not only in getting the product to customers but also in contact with them. These are all extra costs that are not properly supported. A true export policy must be based on this reality.

Civil Protection carries out exercise today to test evacuation in Cinco Ribeiras

The Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores (SRPCBA), in partnership with the Municipality of Angra do Heroísmo and the Parish Council of Cinco Ribeiras, on Terceira Island, is carrying out this Tuesday, at 6 pm, the BASALTO 24.4 exercise, with the aim of training the evacuation of the parish.

This exercise “will simulate the need to evacuate the parish of Cinco Ribeiras, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo”.

Through this simulation, the Civil Protection of the Azores intends to train the “procedures and means necessary for evacuation with the participation of the local population, the coordination and response of the entities involved and the reception in the Population Concentration and Support Zones (ZCAP)”.

BASALTO 24.4 is part of the quarterly exercises that the SRPCBA develops throughout the year, this time it will take place in the LIVEX (Live Exercise) mode, that is, with the movement of resources and operators on the ground and, for the first time, will involve the direct participation of the population, explains the press release.

The BASALTO 24.4 exercise also includes the participation of the Municipal Council of Praia da Vitória, the Fire Departments of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória, the Regional Directorate of Health, the Regional Directorate of Public Works, the Portuguese Red Cross, the Public Security Police, the National Republican Guard, the Port Authority of Angra and the Social Security Institute of the Azores.

 

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 16th October 2024

by Mike Evans

A very good afternoon to you all as I write this report while the rain comes pouring down. The fire season has officially finished and the rains have arrived on schedule. For many of us this has been a long summer trying to keep our water consumption down, a mission which we seem to have succeeded in as the taps are still running! Let’s hope that these next few weeks of rain forecasted will help swell the reservoirs that serve us here in the Algarve.

The month of October is designated by the WHO as Suicide Prevention Month and there are very few families where this particular tragedy has not had an impact in one way or another. It is good to see that Sao Bras de Alportel  has joined the “Grab Life” campaign, in force during Suicide Prevention Month , with the aim of raising awareness among the population about this issue and calling for an active role, both at an individual level and at the level of the different community structures in the prevention of suicide and mental illness.

The “Grab Life” campaign is promoted worldwide by the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention and has the support, at national level, of the National Coordination of Mental Health Policies, the Portuguese Society of Suicidology and, in the Algarve, of the Regional Coordination of Mental Health, the Algarve Local Health Unit and its Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, the Algarve Health Center Groups, and various local authorities and institutions.

This awareness-raising campaign will continue throughout the month of October, when World Mental Health Day is celebrated. A discussion entitled “Here Among Us” will take place on October 18th, at 9:30 pm, at the Municipal Gallery of São Brás de Alportel, with the theme “No, everything is not okay!”.

This meeting proposes a reflection on today’s silent epidemics, such as anxiety, depression, burnout and suicide, which affect people of all ages and sectors of society. The initiative promoted by the municipality features first-hand testimonies from those who have experienced difficult times. It also has the collaboration of the Gonçalo Assunção “Prometo Viver” Association, which held its third gala on October 9th at Teatro das Figuras, where it was possible to raise funds to open a new SOS Voz Amiga helpline, which will support people from all over the country from the Algarve, and to create, in partnership with the Algarve Mental Health Association (ASMAL), several community service centres with regular and free consultations with psychology professionals.

This project will facilitate the early detection of mental illnesses and will allow for more effective preventive interventions. This initiative has the support of the municipalities of Faro and São Brás de Alportel. A great initiative which we should all support if possible.

Now a brief look at some of the other news from the region over the past couple of weeks.

Two Algarve Beaches affected by Crude Oil spillage

Two Algarve beaches (adjacent to  each other in the municipality of Vila do Bispo) have been affected by a crude oil spill, blighting water quality.Authorities have already ‘banned’ bathing until conditions “are reversed”.The crude was first detected yesterday at Cabanas Velhas, with AMN national maritime authority admitting its origins at this point are unknown. For now, the situation is in the hands of the Southern Maritime Department and the Directorate for Combating Pollution at Sea, which has activated what is called the 3rd level of readiness of the Clean Sea Plan.

Polluting material was being rounded up this morning at which point authorities patrolling the coast realised it was also present at Boca do Rio. “All contaminated material collected” has been sent to “an appropriate treatment unit via Vila do Bispo town hall”, said a statement this morning from the national maritime authority, explaining that the “general aim of the Mar Limpo Plan is to establish a response mechanism for hydrocarbon and other dangerous substance spills, and for situations where there is an imminent threat of such spills, to define responsibilities of the organisations involved and to establish their competences”.

With no culprit yet identified, it is unclear how, or even if, authorities will be investigating further.

Woman found dead in Castro Marin Brothel

The PJ police consider there are no signs of crime in the death of a 53-year-old Brazilian woman in a brothel in Vale de Andreu, Castro Marim, on Saturday. The body was found following a fire in one of the bedrooms. According to tabloid Correio da Manhã, “firefighters found the door to the room shut and when they entered they discovered the victim on the floor”. The body has been sent for autopsy to try and discover the cause of death.

Three Arrested for Theft in Portimao

The Criminal Investigation Unit (NIC) of the GNR of Portimão have arrested three men who are suspected of stealing non-precious metals, construction materials and scooters, in Alvor.

Following a complaint about crimes of theft, the police carried out “several investigations that allowed the identification of the three men, perpetrators of the thefts, as well as recovering dozens of stolen pieces of non-precious metals, namely copper and tin plumbing material, and also four electric scooters”.

The detainees, aged between 26 and 29, were brought before the Portimão Judicial Court, where they were subject to coercive measures.

Man Arrested for Robbery in Quarteira

The Criminal Investigation Unit (NIC) of the Loulé GNR have arrested a 35 year old man, for committing several crimes of theft and robbery, in the parish of Quarteira.

Following the various crimes of theft and robbery in the area, police carried out several investigations that “allowed the suspect to be located in the municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo, in the district of Beja”.

“An arrest warrant was served for the crimes of robbery, vehicle theft, theft from inside a vehicle, theft from a garage and card abuse, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect.”

Body Found On Spanish Coast thought to be Missing Portuguese Lady

The body of what is thought to be 44 year old Carla Leal, who disappeared last week in Vila Real de Santo António after her car was found in the Guadiana river, has been found on the Spanish coast, in Huelva.

A family source confirmed to journalists that the body had been found, although official procedures between the authorities of the two countries are still pending, to confirm the identity of the victim.

The alert for the disappearance was given by the family, after the woman left her workplace, a restaurant on Santo António beach, in Vila Real de Santo António, on the night of September 30 and did not return home. On October 2, the woman’s car was found in the Guadiana River and removed by authorities, for analysis by teams from the GNR Accident Investigation Unit.

Authorities carried out searches in the Guadiana, in Portugal and Spain, and along the bordering coasts in both countries, for several days to try to locate the woman, but without results.

The captain of the port of Vila Real de Santo António, João Afonso Martins, who coordinated the searches in the river and on the coast, said he had not received official communication to confirm whether the body found was or was not that of the missing woman.

Prison Break Drug Lord Arrested in Morocco

Algarve drug lord Fábio Loureiro, one of the prisoners who escaped from the Vale de Judeus Prison on Sept 7th, was arrested on Sunday night in Tangier, Morocco. At around 10:00 pm local time, the Moroccan authorities, with the collaboration of the Spanish authorities, in close coordination with the Judicial Police (PJ)” arrested the suspect, who had been on the run since September 7th.

“The international police operation was launched in less than 24 hours, with the strong support of the Spanish Cuerpo Nacional de Policía (CNP) and the Moroccan General Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance (DGST), based on credible information from the PJ, that Fábio Loureiro was in Morocco.

Fábio Loureiro had an international arrest warrant out on him and was on Interpol’s most wanted list, the PJ said in a statement. He has been convicted of the crimes of kidnapping, drug trafficking, criminal association, armed robbery and evasion and will now be “presented to the Moroccan judicial authorities with a view to his extradition to Portugal for the purposes of serving his sentence”, adds the PJ.

According to the audit report on the performance of the surveillance and security services, which was prepared by the Security Services Division of the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services, the escape of the inmates “took six minutes” and was only detected about an hour later.

The group of escapees included two Portuguese citizens, Fernando Ribeiro Ferreira and Fábio Fernandes Santos Loureiro, a citizen of Georgia, Shergili Farjiani, one from Argentina, Rodolf José Lohrmann, and one from the United Kingdom, Mark Cameron Roscaleer, aged between 33 and 61.

They were sentenced to between seven and 25 years in prison for various crimes, including drug trafficking, criminal association, robbery, kidnapping and money laundering. Of these, only Fábio Loureiro has so far been caught by the authorities.

The escape of these criminals on Sept 7th led to the removal of the prison director and the resignation of the then general director of Reintegration and Prison Services, Rui Abrunhosa e Gonçalves, who was replaced on an interim basis by Isabel Leitão, who was already part of that general directorate supervised by the Ministry of Justice.

The escape from Vale de Judeus led the Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcão Júdice, who ordered an audit of the security of Portuguese prisons, to be heard recently on the case in the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees, at the request of the Liberal Initiative.

GNR Operation Nets 61 Arrests

The GNR Territorial Command of Faro carried out a series of operations in the district of Faro, in the week of October 7th to 13th, which aimed to prevent and combat violent crime. During the week 61 people were detained, including 20 for driving without a licence; 15 for driving under the influence of alcohol and 3 for drug trafficking.

A total of 127 doses of hashish; Two shotguns; 3 pressure guns; 4 electric bicycles; 3 cell phones; Two digital scales; A machete; Ammunition and Non-precious metal materials, were also seized. During the same period, a total of 102 accidents were recorded, with 24 minor injuries.

Until the next time Stay Safe