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Situation Reports news and reviews

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report 13th August 2024

 

Good afternoon – Well it had to happen! And by this I am referring to the two fires in Braganca one at, Vimioso and the other at the Montesinho Natural Park, which have been burning since Saturday 10th August. The fires were initially contained but then re-ignited. At the time of writing both are now under conclusion.

Earlier the Civil protection authority announced preventive measures people should take over the following days, stating that they foresee: “the occurrence and spread of rural fires, highlighting “the increase in the difficulty of suppressing fires, especially in interior North and Centre and in the Algarve”.

This is a point that we have constantly stressed referring to the Fire Weather Index (FWI), which is an indicator of the potential intensity and spread of fires. This is why we publish on Facebook each morning the FWI map, which over the last few days has clearly shown the FWI at EXTREME level in the north east of the mainland Bragança and Guarda in particular.

The FWI indicates intensity of potential fires by combining the rate of fire spread with the amount of fuel being consumed, taking into account temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, drought conditions, fuel availability, vegetation characteristics and topography.

Critical’ fires are defined as those covering an area greater than 10,000 ha and are challenging to extinguish until air temperatures fall and precipitation increases. They are typically associated with ‘extreme’ fire danger, which is an FWI of over 50. This is the case in the two fire areas concerned but the area burned is not known.

We cannot stress enough therefore the importance for everyone to study these maps and other information and be prepared. The fire in the Montesinho Natural Park resulted in environment has been destroyed comprising large area of scrubland, as well as chestnut and oak trees. The fire had threatened two villages but it was not necessary to evacuate the population.

On a more general note the number of rural fires reached its highest level this year in July, with 1,082 occurrences, almost double the 596 rural fires recorded in June, and was also responsible for the largest area burned this year. Even so, the 1,082 rural fires in July is well below the average for the decade 2014-2023 for the same period, which was 2,193.

Safe Communities receives many enquiries on all sorts of crime and civil protection matters. This include requests from people overseas claiming that they have been a victim of crime perpetrated in Portugal. For example the victim residing overseas claims that he/she is a victim of on-line fraud, the fraudster being in Portugal. Sometimes personal details of the alleged fraudster are provided. The victim then asks Safe Communities either to make a complaint to the police here on their behalf, or take other actions.

I need to make this clear that we are not a law enforcement agency nor do we conduct investigations of any sort, that is the work of the police!

We have discussed this with the relevant unit of the Judicial Police, and they have confirmed our understanding that if you are the victim of a crime whilst overseas, or living overseas, then you should report this to your local police station there. They are responsible for receiving the crime complaint and conducting investigations which could include contacting the police, through the official channels, in the country where the culprit may be living.

We wish you a safe week ahead.

News

Algarve’s Benagil caves with new access rules starting today

Lagoa, Faro, 13 Aug 2024 (Lusa) – The Benagil Caves, in the municipality of Lagoa, in the Algarve, have new access rules as of today, which include the prohibition of disembarking and swimming access to their interior.

The new measures, which aim to regulate the traffic of maritime-tourist vessels, private individuals and beach users, both in the water and in the vicinity of the Benagil cave and sinkhole, were published in an official notice on July 30.

It is now forbidden for individuals and companies to disembark or use the sand inside the Benagil cave, access to the caves by swimming or with flotation devices, and the rental of kayaks without a guide in the cave area.

There are also limits on the number of boats and kayaks inside the cave, maximum times for visits and a ratio of one guide kayak for every six kayaks with visitors for kayak tours in the area.

There are also provisions for administrative offences (fines), which in the most serious cases can reach up to 216,000 euros, for operators of maritime-tourist vessels who do not comply with the rules set out in the notice.

Located off Benagil beach, the caves are considered to be a relevant natural heritage site and one of the main tourist attractions in the Algarve, which, in the summer, has attracted the interest of more and more visitors, especially by sea.

The notice, which comes into force 10 working days after its publication, resulted from the work developed by the Benagil Caves Working Group, formed in August 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 7th August 2024

 

From our correspondent in the Azores

Yacht catches fire with seven people on board

A local yacht caught fire this on Monday 5 miles from Vila Franca do Campo. The seven crew members were rescued by a nearby maritime tourist vessel and are now ashore.

According to the captain of the Port of Ponta Delgada, Commander Rafael da Silva, the seven crew members “were unharmed, in good health and do not require medical care”.

According to information from the Maritime Authority, the fire on the 13-meter-long sailboat, based in the port of Vila Franca do Campo, is believed to have started in the engine room and was initially fought by the crew, but without success, having spread to the rest of the boat.

The presence of a maritime-tourist vessel in the vicinity made it possible to avoid greater harm: having spotted the column of black smoke – which was visible from land, according to several reports – it approached the sailboat and aided the crew, transporting them safely to land.

The alert was given via 112, at around 5:02 pm, to the Ponta Delgada Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, with the Volunteer Firefighters of Vila Franca do Campo taking over the fight against the flames with six operators, which were declared as “apparently extinguished” at 8:08 pm. “Despite the efforts made, the vessel ended up sinking at a depth of around 1,000 meters”, revealed Captain Rafael da Silva, adding that “Given the condition of the vessel at the time it sank, no pollution incidents are expected”.

 

Free minibus for students and over 65s

Starting this Friday, all students and people over 65 can travel on the minibus network for free.

The regulation exempting payment of the “student monthly pass” and “senior monthly pass 65+” for minibuses, from Ponta Delgada City Council, is now in force, after publication in the Official Gazette.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 31st July 2024

by Mike Evans

A very good day to you all. The next few weeks across the Algarve are full of festivals of all kinds which brings more visitors to the region. This week we have the start of the Sardine festival in Portimao and the Chicken festival in Guia as well as many more in the many villages and towns across the region. Travelling to and from these different places is becoming a difficult exercise for many as the main road through the region, the N125, is full to capacity during much of the day. We have seen a number of accidents in the past week which have resulted in the death of at least three people as well as other serious injuries. Having driven along this road quite extensively this week you can see that the idea of “patience” doesn’t seem to be part of many drivers’ thinking! Let’s hope that the next few weeks are not littered with more accidents and tragic loss of life. Remember, a few extra minutes getting to your destination can save your life as well as other road users.

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

Collision on EN 125 leaves two dead and one seriously injured

Two people died this Sunday, the 28th, in a collision between two cars, on the National Road (EN) 125, in Almancil, in the municipality of Loulé , revealed a source from Civil Protection.

According to a source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, the accident, which occurred at around 6:22 am, also left one person seriously injured, who was taken to Faro hospital.

The accident, which occurred on the Troto Variant, caused the road to be closed in both directions. At 10:15 a.m., a team of 16 operators, supported by nine vehicles, were still on site.

This accident brings to three the number of deaths in road accidents that occurred over the weekend on the EN 125, in the Almancil area. On Saturday morning, a collision between a bus and a car had already caused the death of the driver of the light vehicle.

One dead in collision between bus and car in Almancil

A man died this Saturday, the 27th, in a collision between a bus and the car he was driving, on the National Road (EN) 125, in Almancil, in the municipality of Loulé , said a source from Civil Protection .

According to a source from the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command, the accident, which occurred at around 8:00 am, did not cause any injuries, and traffic was affected, with traffic being alternated.

The accident occurred in the Faro – Loulé direction. According to CM, the fatal victim is the Algarve musician Paul Camilo, 50 years old, guitarist of the band Karapaus Allimads.

Man arrested in Portimão for thefts from several establishments

The Faro PSP District Command , through the Criminal Investigation Squad of the Portimão Police Division, arrested a 35-year-old man, accused of committing several qualified thefts, it was announced today.

Following an investigation carried out over the last few months, it was possible to determine “that the suspect made a living by committing thefts in various commercial establishments, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and perfumeries, later exchanging the stolen items for narcotic products”, details the PSP in a statement.

“In order to put an end to these crimes and restore a sense of security to traders in the city of Portimão, the PSP carried out a swift investigation, which allowed the suspect to be identified, who was located and arrested yesterday,” the note continues. After the first judicial interrogation, he was given the coercive measure of preventive detention.

The PSP believes it has put an end to this criminal phenomenon, which had been causing some “uneasiness” among traders in the city of Portimão.

Three arrested for beach thefts in Portimao

The GNR arrested three men suspected of thefts, between Monday and Wednesday, in Portimão, as part of an investigation aimed at combating thefts in the Algarve’s beach areas, the security force announced.

The detainees are between 27 and 50 years old and were located by members of the Portimão Criminal Investigation Unit, “on the public highway”, and were “in possession of material to commit this type of theft” and “various stolen material, which is why they were detained”, the GNR said in a statement.

After approaching the detainees, a house search was carried out “which allowed the recovery and seizure of several items”, namely a vehicle, a camera, six cell phones, four computers, a drone, 950 euros, 15 Canadian dollars and 56 US dollars, two watches and several electronic components, he listed. “The action was reinforced by military personnel from the Lagoa Territorial Post and the Beja Traffic Detachment (DT), with two other individuals also being named as defendants,” he concluded.

Jail for ringleaders of gang that terrorised immigrants in OIhão

The two main ringleaders of a gang of young teens that terrorised Indian and Nepalese immigrants in the Algarve town of Olhão last year have both been sentenced to seven years in prison (one year of which will be commuted due to the recent papal amnesty).

Both youths, now aged 17, have been held in preventive custody since their arrests last year. A third teen, also arrested last year and equally charged with aggravated assault, violent damage and theft, was handed a five year sentence, suspended – while a fourth youngster was found not guilty of all counts against him.

Defence lawyer André Caetano has commented that the sentences for the ringleaders, in his opinion, are still “very heavy”. “We are going to appeal”, he told Correio da Manhã.

For the time being, the 17-year-olds will continue to remain in preventive custody, serving their time in Leiria’s prison establishment for young people.

The panel of judges considered the behaviour of all the youngsters involved to have been “repugnant and very serious”.This was an incident that became nationally notorious, as images of the attacks were widely shared online.

President Marcelo travelled down to Olhão to personally apologise to one of the immigrants at the time.

 

Navy seizes fishing gear in Algarve marine park

The Portuguese Navy announced on Tuesday that it found and removed 59 cage traps from the Algarve Marine Natural Park – Pedra do Valado, where the use of this kind of fishing gear is prohibited. The Navy said in a statement that the fishing gear was detected on Monday during a maritime patrol and surveillance operation in the recently created marine reserve off the coast of Albufeira, Lagoa, and Silves.

As fishing is prohibited  in the marine reserve, the Navy collected the cage traps at the behest of Portimão’s port captain. In its statement, the Navy stressed that using this type of fishing gear can be detrimental to the “development of corals on the rocky bottom, as it significantly affects the conservation of biodiversity” in an area which is meant to be protected. The Algarve Marine Natural Park – Pedra do Valado was created in January this year to protect biodiversity and promote the sustainable management of resources.

The reserve is one of the richest areas in terms of biodiversity in Portugal and is also the largest coastal reef in the Algarve and one of the largest in Portugal, with natural values considered unrivalled along the national coast.

The Natural Park comprises the area between the Alfanzina Lighthouse, in the municipality of Lagoa, and the Albufeira marina, totalling an area of approximately 156 square kilometres.

At Pedra do Valado, 889 of the 1,294 species of fauna and flora found on the Algarve coast were identified, 24 of which have protected status, with the discovery of 45 new species for Portugal and 12 new species for science that are not known elsewhere, according to the website of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR).

All human activities, including fishing and recreational boating, are prohibited on the site.

Albufeira tourism behaviour campaign starts 

An awareness campaign on rules and behaviours starts today, 29th July in Albufeira, the local authority announced. In a note, the Municipality stresses that it is working on several fronts with a view to “disciplining” behaviours in public spaces, so that “the good image of Albufeira is restored, both to the satisfaction of residents and tourists”, explains José Carlos Rolo.

The mayor points out the problem of certain groups, “but it cannot be generalised, as the behaviour of some cannot be taken as a reflection of the identity of any country”.

Seven actions are underway, such as a behavioural awareness campaign, using billboards, posters, a brochure and other materials; a campaign to promote the destination is also being carried out in partnership with the company IPDT- Turismo; 70 video surveillance cameras are being installed; human surveillance has already been increased in the areas of Oura and the “downtown” part of the city, with the help of the Firefighters Association, the Portuguese Red Cross, the GNR, the Municipal Civil Protection Service and the Municipal Police, as well as other law enforcement agencies. In addition, a new code of behaviour is being drawn up, which should be completed by the end of this summer; the draft amendment to the Municipal Noise Regulation is being reviewed; and finally, the proposal to revise the Municipal Regulations for the Operation of Establishments will be presented at the Council Meeting tomorrow. As regards the behavioural awareness campaign, the distribution of flyers, stickers and a brochure has already begun. According to the local authority, Albufeira now has more security, surveillance and inspection agents on the streets, “for a faster and more effective response to any problem that arises”, day or night.

“The less than positive image of Albufeira must change very soon and I will not allow any lack of respect for our work, neither for the leisure of our tourists, nor for the work of all those who live in Albufeira, regardless of their origin or social status”, says the mayor.

José Carlos Rolo also requested the help of the British Consulate to implement campaigns and actions in Albufeira, as are done in other countries, with a view to “ensuring greater security, comfort and satisfaction for all tourists, who are also disturbed by the widespread perception of a less than positive image of their identity, when Albufeira’s relations with the entire United Kingdom have always been, and throughout many years of history, one of great cordiality and mutual admiration”.

In addition to all this, tendering procedures are also underway for more and better lighting in certain public places, especially in the coastal area, an increase in the number of litter bins on the streets and more cleaning professionals, and noise monitoring has already begun on some streets.

Until the next time stay safe



 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 31st July 2024

Overnight stays in tourist accommodation in the Azores increased by 9.4% in June

The Azores recorded around 473 thousand overnight stays in tourist accommodation in June, 9.4% more than in the same period last year, according to estimates from the Regional Statistics Service (SREA) released this Monday.

Applications open for special travel arrangements for higher education students

Applications for the special travel regime for students entering higher education outside São Miguel Island for the first time are open until August 15th, Ponta Delgada City Council says.

Apartments cost 900 euros/m2 more ten years later

The median value of apartments per square meter in the Azores in June 2024 more than doubled in a decade, being 903 euros higher than in September 2014

The median value of bank appraisals for apartments in the Autonomous Region of the Azores was 1,684 euros per square meter (euros/m2) in June 2024, an assessment that more than doubled in a decade, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), consulted by Açoriano Oriental.

Compared to September 2014 (INE does not present data for June 2014), the median value of bank appraisals for apartments in June of this year was 903 euros/m2 higher, which translates into an increase of 215.6%.

Ryanair intends to reopen base in Ponta Delgada

About a month ago, Ryanair sent the Government of the Republic a plan to significantly increase the airline’s presence in Portugal by 2030, which, according to the newspaper Eco, foresees the reopening of the Ponta Delgada base, in São Miguel.

The plan foresees “doubling the number of routes to more than 320, adding 16 new planes (an investment of 1.6 billion dollars) to the operation, reopening the Ponta Delgada base, reducing seasonality in Faro, Ponta Delgada and Funchal and creating 500 jobs”.

At a press conference held yesterday in Lisbon, Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary said he wanted to double the number of passengers transported in Portugal to 27 million, but he is demanding an increase in the number of slots in Lisbon and state incentives to reduce airport taxes.

Three thermal areas closed on the island of São Miguel due to suspected contamination

The Regional Health Directorate of the Azores today ordered the closure of three thermal spas on the island of São Miguel to the public, due to laboratory tests that indicate results “compatible with microbiological contamination”, the regional executive reported.

The decision was taken after the Regional Health Directorate carried out an environmental investigation, with the collection of thermal waters, in Caldeira Velha, Poça da Dona Beija and Parque Terra Nostra, on the island of São Miguel.

“The laboratory analysis of the samples collected was carried out by INSA [National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge], with the results being compatible with microbiological contamination,” the note reads.

Thus, “good Public Health practices dictate that, when the result of a microbiological analysis of water is unfit for its intended purpose, measures must be taken to guarantee the safety of the population”.

Applying the “Precautionary Principle”, the Azorean executive reports that it has determined the application of several measures in the three identified locations, such as their closure and excluding the public from the tank area.

It was also decided to carry out a “shock disinfection”, drain, clean and disinfect the tanks and accessories, and review the control and risk assessment measures.

It was also determined to carry out new analyses after filling the tanks and to keep the spaces closed “until the risk assessment has yielded satisfactory results”.

“These instructions were given to the entities managing the spaces in question, who are collaborating actively and committedly”, guarantees the Regional Government of the Azores.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 31st July 2024

Good morning. We start with some sad news and that is a nine-year-old girl has died following an attack in northwest England, police confirm, raising the death toll to three children from the stabbings at a yoga and dance class. All three victims were girls and five children and two adults remain in a critical condition.

Portugal Communities Minister Jose Cesario has confirmed that a nine-year-old Portuguese girl Alice Aguiar, originally from Madeira, had been killed in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on Hart Street in Southport on Monday. This is a simply a horrific and senseless attack and our condolences go the families and friends of the victims. Typical of social media, a name has been shared on social media in connection with the suspect in the incident in Southport,” police said on Tuesday. “This name is incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.”

Also on the subject of violence, four young Dutch holidaymakers were violently stabbed in the early hours of Monday morning in Albufeira. A fifth received light stab wounds. All were transported to hospital. Literally within hours of the minister of interior administration visiting the town grappling to control anti-social “excessive behaviour”, this latest incident occurred – again in the ‘incident blackspot’ of downtown Oura.

According to reports, the young group of Dutch – aged between 17 and 21 – were returning to their holiday village in the early hours when they “started to complain because of the loud music coming from one of the apartments. “The aggressors, holidaymakers from the Republic of Ireland, allegedly went to get knives and attacked the victims”. Emergency services were quickly called to the scene: 32 operatives and 12 vehicles from the fire stations of Albufeira and Messines, as well as INEM medical response and GNR police. Three knives were “seized”. PJ police are now investigating. This will do nothing to improve the reputation of this part of Albufeira which has developed a reputation for late night disturbances over several years. Planning is at an advance stage to install 70 CCTV cameras, to help provide a deterrence, enforcement and monitoring the situation.

Google’s forest fire mapping tool, which is based on artificial intelligence (AI) technology, is being launched in 15 new countries in Europe, including Portugal, and Africa the technology company announced yesterday. According to estimates, “the European territory prone to fires has doubled in the last 50 years”, says Yossi Matias, vice president and head of Google Research, in a post on the Google Portugal blog. This will particulary assist those travellers through these countries being able to identify major fires along their planed route and therefore avoid them. Safe Communities has issued, on Facebook, details of how to access this through Google Maps. An excellent and well needed initiative. https://portugal.googleblog.com/?

The ANSR Road Safety association ANSR launches the “Safe the Holidays” campaign, which runs until September 1st and aims to raise awareness among drivers about the need to ensure their road safety, as well as of everyone who travels on the road. Being this time of the year when there is an increase in travel on Portuguese roads, ANSR calls for everybody’s cooperation in adopting safe behaviours: Perform vehicle maintenance before departure; Respect the speed limits; If you drink, don’t drive; Don’t distract yourself with your mobile phone; Always wear your seatbelt; Respect the safety distances and stop for a rest on long journeys.

Our team wish everyone a safe week ahead,

News

Defence Minister highlights the role of the armed forces in preventing fires

Marinha Grande, Leiria, 30 Jul 2024 (Lusa) – The Minister of defence today highlighted the role of the Armed Forces in preventing and detecting rural fires, after monitoring a patrol in the national forest, in Marinha Grande.

“The military is not in the barracks, they are working every day for the benefit of the population. This applies to fire prevention, search and rescue operations, medical emergencies, organ transportation, and combating human trafficking and drug trafficking,” Nuno Melo told reporters.

For the Minister of Defence, the “Armed Forces are always there and that is very relevant”.

Nuno Melo explained that the role of the military is to “detect fires, in collaboration with the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests [ICNF], together with other entities, so that, in an articulated manner, this mission is more effective”, so that at the end of the fire season “they have not happened”.

And if they didn’t happen, it’s because “there was prevention and this prevention takes a lot of work and involves a lot of investment and a lot of coordinated effort”.

According to the data presented, there are 32 patrols monitoring the forest territory, supporting the ICNF. “We also have engineering detachments, which are essential for shaping the terrain so that firefighters can attack the fire itself. Then we have our platoons, which do the aftermath, surveillance and mitigate possible rekindling”, explained Colonel Tiago Lopes, commander of the Military Emergency Support Unit.

Nuno Melo stressed that his presence on one of the patrols is a way of showing the Portuguese that “in times of peace, the military performs multiple tasks for the daily benefit of the population and among these tasks, fire prevention actions”.

“And when fires do not occur in Portugal, it is often precisely because the armed forces, along with other entities, are committed to these actions, which are fundamental”, stressed the minister.

Bathing and fishing banned in the Douro due to pollutant discharge after fire in Porto

Bathing and recreational fishing were prohibited this Tuesday as a precaution between the cement pier and the mouth of the Douro, in Porto, due to the discharge of polluting materials into the Granja River caused by the fire in the Nors group.

“An edict was published prohibiting bathing and recreational fishing along the entire stretch, from the cement pier [near the Casa d’Oro restaurant] to the mouth of the Douro River as a precaution”, said today the captain of the Port and local commander of the Douro and Leixões Maritime Police.

Speaking to journalists at Largo do Calém, where work is underway to clean the waters due to the discharge of polluting materials from the fire that occurred on Monday in the industrial area of ​​Porto, Silva Lampreia stated that the ban “does not affect any river beach” . The ban covers a stretch of approximately 2.7 kilometres.

Porto City Council is trying to minimize the effects of the discharge of polluting materials into the mouth of the Granja River and consequently into the Douro River, estimating that cleaning work will be completed on Wednesday.

The fire affected the offices of Auto Sueco Portugal, Aftermarket Portugal and Amplitude Seguros, companies in the Nors group.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 24th July 2024

A very busy day yesterday as far as rural fires are concerned, with at least four fires classified as a “significant occurrences” by the ANEPC. Central areas of the mainland were the main areas affected, particularly Leiria District. At one stage there were nearly 900 operatives deployed (Civil Protection, Bombeiros, GNR and municipal resources, and up to 14 aircraft.

One again firefighting aircraft proved their worth, as one of the fires in the Andreus area, in the municipality of Leiria, posed a major challenge, due to the difficulty in accessing land resources to get close to the flames to fight them. A civil commander spokesperson said “We are fighting this fire only with aerial resources, because land resources cannot reach it, which worries us”

This is not as uncommon as it sounds. When I visit Pedrogrão Grande a few days ago with my colleague Fernanda, we saw many dense forests mainly of eucalyptus trees on steep hills which would be virtually impossible to fight any fire by land resources. When you factor in moderate/high winds, which can change direction and speed frequently, a situation often found in hilly conditions, this gives idea of the challenges involved.

The signs are that the level of fire risk which we have seen in the last two weeks is set to continue. The level is would say average for the summer, with the main high risk areas being the Algarve, Centre and parts of north east. As we have said many times before, it is very important if you are living in rural areas to be prepared, by having an emergency kit in case of evacuation and a plan of what to do should a fire approach your home. Fires can travel at great speed and intensity, so being prepared is very important.

We emphasise once again the importance of checking the daily weather reports and fire risk and Fire Weather Index (FWI) so that you are aware of the conditions in your area as well as areas that you may be visiting. With the holiday season many will be visiting areas of the Portuguese mainland which are prone to fires, so it is best to familiarize your self should a fire break out. This is particularly important in isolated areas. Ensure your mobile phone is kept fully charged.

If you have visitors staying with you, ensure that they are informed about the fire risk in your area in case they are planning to undertake countryside walks for instance. Be aware of the high temperatures sometimes over 40C. Those from overseas, used to cooler climates, should take care and the golden rule is not to hike alone in the extreme high temperature conditions, when high temperature warnings are in place. Early morning is a safer time and ensure others know exactly which route you are taking and how long it will be before returning. Common sense really, but sometimes overlooked.

On the issue of preparation, we thank all of those who participated in the “Preparedness for common natural hazards in Portugal” survey which we launched in March this year. We thank Kirsten Cooke a volunteer with Safe Communities for all her work based on her professional experience in this subject. Over 700 people participated which is a great result and we will be publishing the results shortly.

Our team at Safe Communities wishes you a safe week ahead.

News

CP suspends strike scheduled for this Wednesday

The CP – Comboios de Portugal strike, scheduled for this Wednesday (24) has been suspended due to an agreement with workers. According to the Federation of Transport and Communications Unions (Fectrans), the agreement established between the 12 unions and the railway transport company foresees the return to negotiations in the last week of September.

“Under the terms of the agreement, all salary indexes will be updated by a further 1.5% from 1 August 2024 and the value of the meal allowance will rise to 9.20 euros”, can be read in a statement published by the Federation of Transport and Communications Trade Unions (Fectrans).

The union structures that went on strike on Monday and had planned another day of strike for Wednesday stated, in the joint statement, that it was assumed in this agreement “that the new professional categories resulting from the merger of current categories are voluntary and that they will remain in place with the guarantee of career progression and the same functions”.

The union structures also highlighted that CP’s management “agreed to implement the agreement of May 29, 2023, unifying the annual productivity and review bonuses, for the same value as the driving career bonus, with effect from August 1 of this year, with the next payment in February 2025”.

The agreement also provides, without “prejudice to the application of what has now been agreed” , that from the last week of September “negotiations will be resumed”, with the aim of “reviewing the salary scales”, “agreeing with the trade unions on the transition rules for the new salary scales” and “continuing to agree on the functional contents of the careers/categories in which the need for continued discussion was identified”, they also stressed. 

Knowledge Pavilion celebrates its anniversary and has already been visited by 5.6 million people

Lisbon, 24 July 2025 (Lusa) – The Pavilhão do Conhecimento, which has already revealed the “secret life” of the intestines and shown the science behind aviation, has been visited by 5.6 million people since it opened its doors in Lisbon 25 years ago.

The data was released to Lusa by the “largest interactive science and technology center in the country” on the eve of its anniversary, which is celebrated on Thursday.Since July 25, 1999, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Centro Ciência Viva has received 5.6 million visitors, the majority of whom are Portuguese families.

Among foreign visitors, Brazilians and Spaniards stand out.

In 2023, the venue, which annually hosts exhibitions, recreational and educational activities and lectures, was visited by almost 300,000 people, around 37,000 more than the previous year.

The previous record for visitors was in 2002, the year in which the scientific and technological dissemination space received more than 272,500 people.

The first half of 2024 saw 171,500 visitors, with families leading the way, followed by schools and foreign tourists.

Located in Parque das Nações, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento inherited one of the emblematic buildings from Expo’98, the world exposition on the oceans.

Designed by architect Carrilho da Graça, the building then housed the Pavilhão do Conhecimento dos Mares, one of the most visited.

Its original name is based on the word “knowledge”, provided by the many exhibitions that the pavilion rents, produces or exports.

The most visited were, in 2004, “The Flight”, which showed the science and technology of aviation, in 2007 and 2008, “Knojo!”, which revealed the “indiscreet science” of the human body, in 2019 and 2020, “Pum!”, which exposed the “secret life” of the intestines, and, in 2022 and 2023, “Dinosaurs: The Return of the Giants”, which went back to the time when these animals inhabited the Earth.

In October, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento will have a new exhibition, “Science of Pixar”, which will be open until August next year and will reveal “the science of special effects” of characters from animated films produced by Disney/Pixar studios.

In total, there are 20 Ciência Viva Centers in Portugal.

The Pavilhão do Conhecimento, which is the headquarters of Ciência Viva – National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, is one of them, and the largest.

Its address is Largo José Mariano Gago, named after the physicist (1948-2015) who was Minister of Science (1995-2002 and 2005-2011) and today is immortalized in the name of the auditorium of the Centro Ciência Viva that he himself inaugurated in 1999.

On its anniversary, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento will have activities with free entry (entrance to the space is usually paid, at a price ranging from 9 to 14 euros) and prizes to be won, as many as the number of years the venue has been open to the public.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 24th July 2024

by Mike Evans

A very warm welcome to you all and with the current temperatures along the Algarve in the high 30’s I am sure we are all looking at ways to stay cool. If you have any special ideas please let us know through our facebook page.

Last week l started the report by highlighting the extra traffic we can now expect on our roads due to the influx of tourists. Well, this week has been a particularly bad week on the roads with the GNR recording  a total of 230 accidents in the Faro district alone last week, resulting in three deaths, four serious injuries and 38 minor injuries, it was announced on Monday.

In a statement, the GNR’s Faro Territorial Command states that, in the week of July 15 to 21, 517 traffic violations were detected, the majority of which were for speeding (90).

That security force also made 46 arrests, namely, 18 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 11 for driving without a legal licence and nine for drug trafficking shows that there really is no hiding place for those who feel they can flout the law. During the same period, the GNR seized 165 doses of heroin, 45 of hashish and 15,860 euros, the note concludes.

The three deaths in the week were as a result of a crash between two motorbikes at the start of the Bike Fest in Faro. More details of this in the report following.

Woman of 45 dies in a house on the island of Armona

A 45-year-old woman died in the early hours of this Tuesday, in a house on the island of Armona, in the municipality of Olhão, with the causes of this occurrence unknown.

Upon arrival at the scene, it was found that “it was a 45-year-old woman, who was promptly assisted by INEM personnel, who performed resuscitation manoeuvres”.

“As it was not possible to reverse the situation, death was declared on site by the INEM doctor, and the body was later transported to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Faro, after contact with the Public Prosecutor’s Office”, can be read in the note published by AMN .

The Maritime Police Psychology Office has been activated. The local command of the Maritime Police of Olhão took charge of the incident.

Albufeira urges beachgoers to keep safe distance from cliffs

With the arrival of summer, Albufeira has resumed its yearly awareness campaign in which it warns beachgoers about the dangers of cliffs.

It’s been 15 years since a family of five was killed by falling rocks on Albufeira’s Maria Luísa beach, but the impact of the tragedy is still felt today.

In an effort to avoid similar tragedies from occurring, the local council organises an awareness campaign every summer, targeted at beachgoers who may be unaware of just how unstable cliffs at Algarve beach can be. They are advised to respect the signposting at beaches and the safety distances indicated in order to “avoid risky behaviour and possible accidents.” “Prevention is the best way of avoiding accidents,” says Albufeira mayor José Carlos Rolo, adding that the awareness campaign which the council carries out every year during the bathing season shows its commitment to the issue of beach safety.

“Albufeira is and we want it to continue to be known as a safe destination,” the mayor states.

The campaign is carried out with the support of Portugal’s maritime authority (AMN), maritime police, the lifeguard association of Albufeira (ANSA), as well as the Albufeira public health unit, which this year is also using the opportunity to warn beachgoers about the risks of sun exposure.

“Albufeira has 30 kilometres of coastline, surrounded by cliffs of rare beauty, being the municipality in the country with the biggest number of Blue Flags raised (25), which proves the environmental excellence of its beaches.

 However, the natural erosion process which they are subjected to puts them in risky situations, increasing the danger of rock falls,” the council warns in a statement to the press. “Every summer, or even outside of the bathing season it is common to see people walking atop the cliffs, seeking their shade or doing poses to take a selfie near a pretty rock formation, showing a lack of knowledge about the dangers they are facing,” it adds, explaining that the awareness campaign, which also sees flyers being handed out to beachgoers in Portuguese and English, aims to make sure beachgoers are well-aware of the possible consequences of these risky behaviours.

“Thus, for your safety, whenever you go to the beach, follow the advice of the municipal civil protection service: choose beaches with surveillance; do not remain at the top or base of cliffs and don’t park at the top of them; avoid risky access routes through cliffs to the beach ; respect the recommendations of lifeguards; stay away from areas where there are loose rocks or fissures; do not use the area near cliffs to seek cover from the sun and wind,” the council adds.

Faro bikers’ Festival marked by tragedy as 3 Die in Road Accident

Two men and a young woman died yesterday afternoon in a head-on collision between two motorbikes, close to the site of Faro’s ongoing bikers’ festival. According to police, the victims were all wearing the kind of kit that suggests they were in Faro for the iconic event.

The accident happened around 5.45pm on the road giving access to Praia de Faro. “The origin was a poorly-affected overtaking manoeuvre by one of the drivers who collided with the other motorbike which was travelling in the opposite direction”; GNR major Paulo Anjos of the Faro traffic brigade told Correio da Manhã.

The woman, who was a pillion passenger on one of the bikes, was subject to reanimation efforts at the scene, and transported already ventilated to Faro Hospital, “but did not survive the gravity of her injuries”.

Both men, aged 31 and 49, were killed outright. The victims have not yet been identified, but the woman and driver of one of the bikes are understood to have come from Santarém.

Traffic was halted in both directions for roughly two hours yesterday evening as the victims, their bikes and all the debris from the accident was logged and then removed from the scene. Police have since redoubled appeals for caution. “In events like these, the volume of traffic is always greater, and people should drive at reduced speeds”, reminds Major Anjos – also warning against bikers’ drinking alcohol and then taking to the road, stressing that drinking and then driving two-wheeled vehicles increased the likelihood of accidents even further than for drivers on four wheels.

Two Suspected Drug Dealers Arrested in Lagos

Two suspected drug dealers were arrested by PSP police in Lagos on Tuesday (July 16).

The arrests, which followed an investigation that had been ongoing for “around half a year”, are expected to have a “strong impact on the reduction of situations of drug trafficking in the town of Lagos,” the Faro PSP district command said in a statement to the press.

The suspects are also believed to have dealt drugs in neighbouring boroughs and to have supplied other dealers in the area, aside from selling the drugs directly to consumers themselves, the statement adds.

The investigation led to a police operation this week which involved “several house searches and non-house searches”, resulting in the confiscation of huge quantities of drugs, including “enough heroine for 21.839 individual doses and enough cocaine for 493 individual doses,” as well as a car and €1,100 in cash and other items related to their illegal activity.

The two suspects, aged 58 and 35, have already appeared before a judge, with one being remanded in custody and the other ordered to report weekly to police.

New Shops to Help Foreigners Obtain Official Documents

Foreign citizens will now have a single place they can visit to obtain tax, social security and health system user numbers.

Minister of Youth and Modernisation, Margarida Balseiro Lopes announced this new measure, at the end of a meeting of the first Council of Ministers at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Universidade Nova, in Almada earlier this week.

Among the 15 new measures approved at the meeting, the minister highlighted the recent issues with foreign citizens trying to obtain identification numbers for the tax, social security and national health systems.

“We know that the Finanças, Social Security offices and Citizen’s Shops, have been faced with long queues” and “we have thousands of foreign citizens living in Portugal who are unable to access something as basic as a Tax Identification Number (NIF), a Social Security Number (NISS) or a Health System Number (SNS Utente) “, she said. Therefore, “what we are going to do now in 2024 is have a single place where citizens will have access to the three identification numbers, in the Citizen Spaces – this is a measure for this year, in the last quarter of 2024”, explained Margarida Balseiro Lopes.

“We will make this service available in the Citizen Space of each town (Espaço Cidadão)”, explained the minister. The project is being implemented by AMA (Agency for Administrative Modernization) and AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), and is expected to ease the workload of the people who work in the current entities that issue these numbers.

Defibrillator saves Young Tourists Life in Albufeira

A 27 year old Irish man on holiday in Albufeira, who fell ill in the early hours of Monday morning, was immediately assisted by friends using the nearby Automatic External Defibrillator.

The incident happened close to the intersection of Avenida Sá Carneiro and Rua José Fontana, where the AED booth is located.

Friends of the man suspected a cardiorespiratory arrest and began resuscitation using the device until the arrival of a rescue team from the Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters, who managed to resuscitate the victim. The INEM Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle (VMER) was also called, and the victim was transported to Faro Hospital, conscious.

Albufeira was the first municipality in the Algarve to implement a community-based Automatic External Defibrillator program, certified by INEM, which allows lives to be saved in the event of cardiorespiratory arrest.

The “Albufeira + Segura” project operates 11 AED booths, equipped with automatic defibrillators, installed at strategic points on the public roads, plus two portable defibrillators – one given to the Municipal Police and the other to the Fire Department.

Launched in October 2017, the program initially trained 71 citizens, who voluntarily attended training in basic life support and automatic defibrillation, taking on the commitment to develop the network of equipment and integrate a greater number of community first responders. Currently, there are now around 900 AED operators assigned to the program, and by the end of the year, 12 more booths will be installed on the public roads of Albufeira.

The Albufeira Volunteer Firefighters and the GNR are the main partners of the program, being the first group of local first responders, with the advantage of being on the ground 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

15 Year Old Canadian Tourist Rescued from Ocean near  Lagoa

A 15 year old Canadian man was rescued on Monday afternoon, after jumping from a cliff into the water, at Carvalho beach, in Lagoa.

The alert was received by the Maritime Police at 5pm, through a member of the public who was on the beach, reporting that a young man had severe pain in his legs after jumping from a cliff into the water.

Members of the Portimão Maritime Police, crew from the Ferragudo Life Saving Station and crew from the Lagoa Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.

On arrival, “it was found that the victim had been removed from the water by bathers who were on the beach, and that he had severe pain in his lower limbs, meaning they had had to drag the teenager from the sea. After stabilising the young man, with the support of the lifeguards on duty on the beach, the crew from the Ferragudo Lifeguard Station transported him to the Lifeguard Station pier, where crew of the INEM Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle were already waiting.”

The ambulance team promptly attended to the victim, who was subsequently transported to the hospital by the Lagoa Volunteer Firefighters.

And finally to end this report a word of warning to anyone who is a resident here and lives in another country for a period of time and owns a car with a foreign number plate.

During the summer, it is common to see cars with foreign licence plates driving on Portuguese roads. However, for these vehicles to be legally admitted and driven in Portugal, some specific rules must be followed.

Firstly, these rules apply exclusively to vehicles permanently registered in a European Union country — Switzerland, for example, is not included. Furthermore, to benefit from the tax exemption, the vehicle owner must prove permanent residence outside Portugal. The law is quite restrictive regarding who can drive a car with a foreign licence plate in Portugal. Only the following people are authorised:

Anyone who does not reside in Portugal;

The owner or holder of the vehicle and his/her family members (spouses, de facto partners, ascendants and descendants in the first degree);

Another person in cases of force majeure (e.g. breakdown) or as a result of a contract for the provision of professional driving services.

It is important to note that it is forbidden to drive a car with a foreign licence plate if you are an emigrant and bring the car from your country of residence to stay permanently in Portugal. In these cases, you have a period of 20 days to legalise the vehicle after entering the country. It is also not permitted to keep a car with a licence plate from your country of origin in Portugal if you live alternately in Portugal and in your country of residence.

A foreign-registered car can be in Portugal for a maximum of 180 days (six months) per year (12 months). These days do not have to be consecutive. For example, if a foreign-registered car is in Portugal during January and March (around 90 days) and only returns in June, it can still legally circulate in the country, tax-free, for another 90 days. If it reaches the accumulated 180 days, it will have to leave the country and will only be able to return at the beginning of the following year. During this 180-day period, the vehicle is exempt from paying taxes in Portugal, in accordance with article 30 of the Vehicle Tax Code.

Regarding insurance, compulsory third party liability insurance is valid in all countries of the European Union, as explained by Razão Automóvel . However, additional coverage may be limited in time and distance or even excluded, depending on the country where the vehicle is being driven and the level of risk associated with it. In these cases, it is advisable to contact the insurer to confirm that all the coverage contracted is in force in the destination country.

Complying with these rules is essential to avoid legal problems and ensure safe and smooth driving in Portugal with a foreign-registered car.

Have a good week.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 24th July 2024

Price of food basket in the Azores increased by 6% in one year

In June of this year, the average basket of food products cost 133.52 euros, representing an increase of 6% compared to June 2023. The biggest price increase recorded was in olive oil (+60%) and the most significant decrease was in onions (-14%)

Updated travel advice has been published on the UK Government site https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/safety-and-security

Hiking in Madeira and the Azores

Hiking in Madeira and the Azores can be challenging. Choose paths that suit your fitness and experience.

Be prepared for narrow, uneven paths and heights. Wear suitable clothing and walking boots. Take extra care if it has rained, as the ground may be slippery and unstable. Check with your tour guide or local organiser that it is safe before you set off.

Leave details of where you are going with your hotel reception and take a phone with you. Reduce the risk by walking with a group or following a guide.

See more information about staying safe, walkway closures and access restrictions on Visit Madeira and Visit Azores.

Ponta Delgada Hospital says it is “quickly resuming” healthcare activities

The Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo (HDES), in Ponta Delgada, which suffered a fire, carries out a daily average of 399 consultations and 3,087 exams, but surgical activity is still “strongly conditioned”, announced the board of directors.

The fire, which broke out on May 4th at Ponta Delgada Hospital, the largest healthcare unit in the Azores, forced all patients who were hospitalized to be transferred to various locations in the Azores, Madeira and mainland Portugal.

According to those responsible for HDES, the health unit is “quickly resuming” healthcare activities to “values ​​close” to those existing before the fire, particularly regarding the number of medical consultations (399 consultations/day), Day Hospital sessions (70 sessions/day) and complementary diagnostic and treatment methods (3,087 exams/day) carried out.

In a press release to update data on the institution’s installed capacity to date, the administration states that in the HDES Emergency Service, despite being divided between the Ribeira Grande Health Centre and CUF Açores Hospital, it has already been possible to “match the daily average of care provided at the time of the fire, that is, more than 300 emergency care services per day”.

However, the surgical activity of HDES “is still shown to be strongly conditioned (average of 10 surgeries/day)” due to the dispersion of resources between the Operating Rooms available at the Bom Jesus Clinic and the CUF Açores Hospital, located in the city of Lagoa, on the island of São Miguel.

According to those responsible, “priority remains for urgent, emergency and non-postponable surgeries, particularly for oncological reasons”.

As a result of the fire on May 4, the institution’s installed capacity, namely in terms of the number of beds available for hospitalization, was compromised and dispersed across several public and private health and social institutions on the island of São Miguel, a situation that “has been gradually and phasedly reversed with the resumption of activity at the HDES facilities”, hospital officials also guarantee.

On July 15th, the institution resumed hospitalization in the Nascente Wing, initially with Palliative Care and Psychiatry, to which, as of July 17th, four medical hospitalization services and three surgical hospitalization services were added.

Currently, the HDES East Wing has a total of 199 hospital beds and four intensive care beds in the Critical Patient Unit.

As of today (July 23rd), 99 patients are hospitalized in the various medical-surgical inpatient services and there are no patients hospitalized in the Critical Patient Unit, the board of directors also reports.

Additionally, HDES maintains 17 surgical hospitalization vacancies at the Bom Jesus Clinic, 28 medical hospitalization vacancies at the Ribeira Grande Health Centre and 87 hospitalization vacancies at the CUF Açores Hospital, in the specialties of Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Neonatology, Cardiology, Intensive and Intermediate Care, Cerebrovascular, Surgery and Gastroenterology, it also indicates.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 17th July 2024

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and I start this report with the warning that the Algarve is at one of its highest fire risk levels we have seen this year. While we can celebrate the fall in the number of fires so far this year we cannot let our guards down as the very hot weather coupled with the high winds can change things in a very short time.

As I write this report Eight municipalities in the district of Faro are today at maximum risk of rural fires due to hot weather, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere. At maximum risk are the municipalities of Aljezur, Lagos, Monchique, Portimão, Silves, Loulé, Tavira and São Brás de Alportel. According to IPMA calculations, the fire danger will remain high in some districts at least until Sunday.

Having just spent a few hours travelling along the N125 in both directions I can definitely report that the summer tourist rush has certainly arrived along the Algarve. This, whilst good for businesses in the tourism industry,  can be the opposite for locals who have plans to reach a destination in a decent time. Please allow extra time if you are travelling through the Algarve during the summer months.

On a brighter note the Algarvian Goat is set to enjoy a better than anticipated summer. Although the Algarve region (Faro district) continues to be in a drought, the PSD/CDS-PP Government eased the restrictions that the previous PS executive had imposed in February to deal with water shortages, after the heavy rains in autumn and winter, reserves increased, and breeders interviewed by Lusa say they now have greater availability of water and food in the fields.

Nuno Coelho is a producer of Algarvian goats in the municipality of Alcoutim and gave the example of feed and straw – “they fell to almost half” the price that was charged when the scarcity of pastures, due to the lack of rain, led to a rise in the food for animals.

“This winter has been a little kinder and therefore brought a little more food abundance. Things have improved substantially”, said Nuno Coelho, who had 120 Algarvian breed goats, had to reduce the herd to 30 and start supplementing it with sheep to balance the accounts, because the goat is priced at 40 euros and the lamb reaches 120 euros.

The winter, he recalled, was “more regular and therefore it rained more”. The supply of water to the soil had consequences for the growth of pastures, bringing “more abundance of food for the animals”. Nuno Luís, with a herd of 300 goats in Castro Marim, also recognised that this “has been a normal year” and that the rain that fell allowed for “a good year of crops”, removing, for now, the scenario of lack of water that the sector was struggling with, for example, a year ago.

“We are in the summer part, of course, the water is disappearing more, but it is not said that we are running out of water now at this time. And even pastures, this year are good”, he assured, highlighting that “rations have dropped” and producers “spend much less”, because they have “more pasture on the side” and do not need to buy so much feed or straw.

Despite continuing to be a low-yield activity, both producers look to the future with greater optimism.

Now a look at some of the other stories that have been hitting the headlines in the past week.

Train collides with car and injures 6 people

Six people were injured – two seriously – when a train crashed into a car at the Poço do Barreto level crossing in Silves on the 12th July.

The six occupants of the seven-seater car were all Dutch nationals, three men and three women, aged between 18 and 25, a GNR source told Lusa. All six were taken to Faro Hospital, two by helicopter (two 18-year-old women with serious injuries) and the other four by ambulance.

“The rescue operation is complete, with all individuals removed from the scene, including the six injured from the car and the 24 train passengers,” Richard Marques, the sub-regional commander of the Algarve National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority, told Lusa.

The accident forced authorities to close the Algarve railway line to make sure safety conditions were ensured.

“Following the completion of rescue operations and confirmation of the track’s condition, train service on the Algarve Line was restored,” infrastructure authority Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) said in a statement. Railway company CP later informed that the line reopened at 11.30am.

Road traffic had already been reopened earlier on the road crossing the Poço Barreto level crossing, located between Alcantarilha and Silves in the municipality of Silves. There were 24 passengers on the train, 17 of whom were transferred by a bus provided by CP to their destination, according to the deputy commander of Silves Volunteer Firefighters, cited by Observador newspaper.

The rescue operation involved firefighters from Silves and Lagoa, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), and GNR police. The cause of the accident is still being investigated.

52 arrests made by GNR in the Algarve

The GNR from Faro district carried out a series of operations in the Algarve, during the week of July 8th to 14th. The operations aimed to prevent and combat violent crime, alongside road inspections.

During the week 52 people were arrested, including 11 for driving without a legal license, 8 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 8 for drug trafficking. The GNR seized 221 doses of hashish, 46 doses of cocaine, 18 mobile home-type houses, 72 ammunition, 2 compressed air rifles, 7 cell phones, 3 laptop computers, and various articles of clothing.

Regarding traffic offences, 355 infractions were detected, of which 176 were due to speeding, 28 due to lack of mandatory periodic inspection, 24 were related to anomalies in lighting and signalling systems, 12 due to lack of or incorrect use of seat belts and/or restraint systems. for children, 10 due to lack of civil liability insurance.

The GNR recorded 203 accidents resulting in 34 minor injuries.

Navy rescues four men after vessel sinks near Olhão

The Navy, through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisboa), coordinated, on the night of Thursday, July 11, a search and rescue operation for four men, of Spanish nationality, after the shipwreck of the vessel they were travelling on.

According to the Navy, the alert came at 11:10 pm through a call from the GNR warning of the fact that the fishing vessel “Praia Monte Gordo ” was sinking, with four crew members on board, approximately six nautical miles, the equivalent of 13 kilometres south of Olhão.

Immediately, and in coordination with the captain of the Port of Olhão, the Navy vessel NRP Cassiopeia and the Olhão Lifeboat Station vessel were activated. Several fishing vessels that were in the vicinity were also alerted and coordinated to provide support to the shipwrecked people. The rescue of the four people was carried out by the fishing vessel “Costasul”, which was closest to the location, having transferred the castaways to the Lifeguard Station vessel, which transported them to the Port of Olhão. Upon reaching land, the people were assisted by INEM, although they were all in good health.

Rival gang fight leaves several injured in Faro

A brawl between two rival groups in downtown Faro left several people injured this week. The confrontation, allegedly motivated by issues related to drug trafficking in that area of ​​the city, led several residents to complain about insecurity and a lack of patrols.

Videos are circulating on social media showing several individuals in physical confrontations on Rua Conselheiro Bivar. According to TVI/CNN on Tuesday, the 9th, some suspects involved in the brawl have already been identified by the authorities.

The videos have been shared by customers of restaurants and shops who were in the area when the incident occurred and who had to leave the premises because “there were stones and bottles in the air”. Following this incident, residents have complained about the lack of security and frequent clashes between gangs, appealing that “someone has to do something”.

Maritime Police seize 300 kg tuna in Tavira

Members of the Tavira Maritime Police Local Command carried out, on the evening of last Monday, July 8, an inspection action at the Quatro-Águas ramp, in Tavira, which resulted in the seizure of a tuna, weighing approximately 300 kg, and fishing gear, namely two rods and deep-sea reels, reported AMN .

During the operation, members of the Maritime Police detected a recreational vessel, with four recreational fishermen on board, who had caught a bluefin tuna, weighing around 300kg, the capture of which is prohibited within the scope of recreational fishing .

The Maritime Police officers prepared the respective report and, as a precautionary measure, seized the fish, which was later donated to Social Solidarity Institutions, as well as two fishing rods and deep-sea reels. Four members of the Tavira Maritime Police Local Command were involved in this action, supported by two vehicles.

And finally to end this report, a couple of events which are well worth being aware of in the region.

The 42nd Faro Motorbike Rally is almost here. This year, one of the most notable events in the region (and the country) will take place from 18 to 21 July, in the mythical Vale das Almas, in Montenegro .

Four days, thousands of motorbikes, beer, concerts, exhibitions and street entertainment are the ingredients of what is considered one of the biggest and best biker gatherings in Europe and which every year, in July, attracts more and more bike lovers to the Algarve capital.

One of the highlights of the event is the motorcycle parade through the streets of the Algarve capital on the last day of the gathering, July 21 (Sunday).

And also this week, Silves is preparing to host another edition of its Beer Fest between July 17 and 21 at Praça Al-Mutamid, the town’s main riverside square.

Organised by Silves Futebol Clube and Silves Council, the event will feature more than 80 craft beers made by brewers from all over Portugal.

There will also be stalls selling handicraft and traditional products, live music and food trucks, totalling over 40 exhibitors from 19 different locations.

The event will run from 6pm to 1am and will be free to visit, although visitors wishing to try the many beers on offer will have to buy a glass.

If you’re going to either of these events remember don’t drink and drive and have a great week.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 17th July 2024

Good afternoon. Many of us will be thinking of our holidays and with millions of people currently and planning to travel outside of Europe, it is wise to know what Consular protection exists in case something goes wrong. Embassies and consulates are there to help.

An EU citizen is unrepresented if there is no embassy or consulate from his or her own Member State present in the country. An EU citizen can also be unrepresented if the embassy or consulate established locally is unable for any reason to provide consular protection, for example because it is far away from where the EU citizen is located. Anyway it is best to plan ahead so before starting your holiday ensure you have the contact details of the embassy/consulate of your country, so you can contact them without delay.

The help that may be provided by embassies/consulates of (other) EU Member States include:assistance in cases of lost or stolen passport or ID card where the embassy can issue emergency travel documents – single-journey documents intended to allow you to return home. In the case of arrest or detention: once contacted, the embassy may provide information on the local legal system, or help you find a lawyer. Being victim of a crime: someone from the embassy may assist you and advise on the next steps. In case of serious accident or illness: staff may help contact your insurance company, family, or friends for you if you end up in hospital. Relief and repatriation in case of an emergency: the embassy may be able to help be evacuated, for example in case of a conflict, a natural disaster or civil unrest, and lastly death, staff may help notify next of kin and help you register a death.

In the last week we have seen the fire danger at VERY HIGH AND MAXIMUM levels in UP TO 75 municipalities. The main areas are the Algarve, parts of centre and parts of north east. This is so far the highest of the year. As we have mentioned many times before, with these levels there are various restrictions in place, particularly on the use on bonfires, burning of cut and piled waste for example. It is very important that these restrictions are followed. We publish these every morning on Facebook between 0730 hrs and 0800 hrs for all to see.

We also publish on what is known as the Fire weather Index or FWI for short. The FWI is a model-based index used worldwide to estimate fire danger. It indicates intensity of potential fires by combining the rate of fire spread with the amount of fuel (vegetation) being consumed, taking into account temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, drought conditions, fuel availability, vegetation characteristics and topography.

‘Critical’ fires are defined as those covering an area greater than 10,000 ha and are challenging to extinguish until air temperatures fall and precipitation increases. They are typically associated with ‘extreme’ fire danger, which is an FWI of over 50. Last Saturday. A week ago about one third of the mainland in the south east was over 50 which is extreme level. Some of the major fires in 2017, the Monchique fire of 2018, Odemira fire of 2023 and Gambalas fire of 2022 all took place when the FWI was at or over this level. Being aware of this BEFORE a fire breaks out is very important, so we can be prepared and take appropriate action.

Air temperatures will start to rise from Tuesday onwards across the country. Algarve and Alentejo will be the regions with the highest temperatures. Friday will be the hottest day.

After a week with temperatures below normal for the season, a week of heat is coming. In some places, temperatures will reach over 40C by Friday according to IPMA. After a roller coaster weather, which is not so normal for summer, it seems that the heat is finally going to arrive. “The district capitals of Alentejo, therefore, Évora, Beja, and possibly Portalegre, may record temperatures of 37ºC or more. The Algarve may record very high values”, explains Patrícia Gomes, meteorologist at IPMA. A reminder therefore when exercising or working outdoors to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Our team wishes you a good week ahead.

News

Citizens’ Shops to expand to 95 by 2026

Almada, Setúbal, 16 Jul 2024 (Lusa) – The Minister of Youth and Modernization announced today that Citizen Shops will be expanded to 95 by 2026 and that the Advisory Council of the Agency for Administrative Modernization (AMA) will be reactivated in September.

Margarida Balseiro Lopes was speaking at the end of the meeting of the first Council of Ministers dedicated to Digital Transition and Modernization, which took place today at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Universidade Nova (Nova FCT), in Almada.

“In the digital government model, I draw attention to a body that has existed in law for many years” and that “we consider essential to reactivate in September, which is the AMA Advisory Council”, said the minister.

At this moment, “today, we have 72 Citizen’s Shops and our commitment is to have 95 Citizen’s Shops by 2026”, announced Margarida Balseiro Lopes.

One of the “great advantages” of Citizens’ Shops is, according to the minister, “finding in the same place a group” of entities, from Finance to Social Security, among others.

“It is essential that this Advisory Council” meets “to guarantee opening hours” and that the way in which the service is provided to citizens is “exactly the same, regardless of the counter and the entity providing the service”, stressed the minister.

The Government today approved 15 measures to simplify and reduce administrative bureaucracy, maintaining the name Simplex which, according to the minister, is a “well-chosen” name.

Gov.pt portal launched in September and implementation in the 1st quarter of 2025

Almada, Setúbal, 16 Jul 2024 (Lusa) – The single digital services portal gov.pt will be launched in September and the application will take place in the first quarter, the Minister of Modernization announced today, adding that a measure was approved that limits the creation of portals in the Public Administration.

“We will have a citizen entry point here, at gov.pt, which will be launched in September and where we will have a set of services that citizens will be able to access”, said the Minister of Youth and Modernization, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, who was speaking at the end of the meeting of the first Council of Ministers dedicated to Digital Transition and Modernization, which took place today at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Universidade Nova (Nova FCT), in Almada.

The minister guaranteed that she will not close the Tax Authority (AT) website.

“What we have to ensure is that citizens enter gov.pt and without realizing it” are having “access to a certain service” from AT without there being a disruption in access to that service, he said.

Furthermore, the citizen will have a reserved area with the entire history of interactions he/she has had.

From September, the State’s digital services telephone service will be available in English.

Furthermore, “a decree-law was approved today that establishes such important rules as limiting the creation of more portals and more applications in the sphere of Public Administration”, he said.

Margarida Balseiro Lopes argued that it is essential to standardize the customer service experience for citizens, both on the website and in stores, and to implement the Citizen Card and the Digital Mobile Key (CMD) as “unique authentication methods”

All of this will not be done “overnight”, but in “several stages”, with the gov.pt portal being launched in September, which will already have some services included on that site, with more gradually being added over time.