Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 26^th July 2023

Good morning – The main news for all the wrong reasons, this week, has of course been the intense fires in Greece, Italy Algeria and Tunisia; Greece feeling the brunt of this on the islands of Corfu and Rhodes.

This was not unexpected as we were forewarned beforehand, of the intense heat wave that would be affecting southern Europe with the presence of a “Heat Dome” duelled by heat from North Africa.

Coincidentally a subject that appeared to go unnoticed in the mainstream media that it was on the 23^rd July 2018 when fires broke out in the region of Attica, Greece which resulted in the deaths of 100 people with a further 200 injured

 The fire ravaged over 3000 homes, leaving hundreds of locals to take shelter in vacant hotels, a summer camp and a nearby army centre.  Roughly half of those who died were aged 60 or greater, due to difficulty these individuals had evacuating their homes quickly, given the speed with which the fire spread. Eleven children perished in the flames. The vast majority of victims were Greeks; four tourists also died.

Very fortunately, hopefully due to lessons learned since then, in the fires in Greece on this occasion, comparatively few have been injured, and there has so far thankfully been no deaths.

As demand for air travel soars, thousands of people were evacuated from Rhodes because of wildfires fanned by high winds and extreme heat. Between 7,000 and 10,000 British people were thought to be on the island as the wildfires spread, according to the Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell.

There have been harrowing scenes involving evacuations with both residents and tourists trying to escape the approaching flames.  The international community has stepped up as usual, with firefighters arriving from several countries to assist their local counterparts. With the situation clearly dangerous in certain areas on the island of Rhodes, most airlines acted as you would expect by flying aircraft empty to the island and evacuating those who were eager to return home. The exception to this was Ryanair who said it continued to operate flights as usual to Rhodes airport – which is not in an area directly affected by the fires so far. The company operates flights to Rhodes from airports including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin. Despite the emergency evacuations and wildfires it said: “Ryanair flights to/from Rhodes and Corfu are currently operating as normal and unaffected by the forest fires.”

In our view and I guess the views of many, this was highly irresponsible clearly putting profits ahead of public safety. Rhodes is a relatively small island and increasing the population at a time when the authorities are dealing with a major catastrophe does not make sense.

In Portugal we have so far escaped the heatwave, but when we look back to June/July 2022, we were also in the grip of one with air temperatures in the mid-40s.C with very low relativity and on occasion’s strong winds. As a result we encountered major fires but fortunately these were not close to highly populated areas or major tourist resorts. As in the case of the Monchique fire in 2019. We monitored the fires during the period and what was obvious in these extreme weather conditions was the considerable intensity of the fires, how quickly they spread and how long they lasted – some over one week.

This is why it is important to be aware of the fire risks, study weather forecasts and be prepared.  Unfortunately most experts agree that the situation will become worse and this of course includes Portugal. We have been fortunate so far this year but let’s see what the rest of the summer brings.

News

Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.1 and 3.4 felt in Terceira and Faial islands

Ponta Delgada, Azores, 25 July 2023 (Lusa) – Four earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.1 and 3.4 on the Richter scale were felt on Monday in Terceira and Faial islands, the Azores Seismovolcanic Information and Surveillance Center (CIVISA) reported.

According to CIVISA, the strongest earthquake, with a magnitude of 3.4, was recorded at 21:12 local time (22:12 in Lisbon) and had an epicentre around 39 kilometres west of Capelo, on the island of Faial.

The source said in a statement that the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in the parishes of Capelo, Castelo Branco and Pedro Miguel (Horta municipality, Faial) and with intensity III in the parish of Flamengos.

The three earthquakes recorded on Monday on Terceira Island occurred at 6:41 pm local time (7:41 pm in Lisbon), with a magnitude of 2.1; at 20:12 local time (21:12 in Lisbon), with a magnitude of magnitude 2.2; and at 20:13 (21:13 in Lisbon), with 2.4 magnitude.

The quakes had an epicentre about four kilometres northeast of Santa Bárbara.

Also according to CIVISA, earthquakes on Terceira Island were felt with maximum intensity III (two) and IV (one) on the Modified Mercalli scale, in the parishes of Santa Bárbara, Doze Ribeiras and São Bartolomeu, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.

Comment

There has been over one hundred very slight earthquakes west of Faial Island over the last two weeks, most not felt, with the exception of 4.5 magnitude 3 days ago.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 19^th July 2023.

The bad news is that southern Europe is in the grip of a major heat wave, but the good news is that at least at present it will not extend to Portugal.

Of course is little comfort to our friends and relatives, in countries that are suffering particularly in Italy, Greece and Spain for our friends.

A big difference in the fires we are currently encountering here in Portugal compared to the fires in some countries in south Europe, is that the fires in those countries are burning with far greater intensity, due to the extreme weather conditions. We can recall back to 2022 when here in Portugal we also encountered the heatwave which resulted in a series of large fires burning uncontrollably some last a week or so.

 What has formed over most of southern Europe is a “heat dome” which in simple terms, the works like a lid on a pot. The extensive dome results in the trapping of a hot air mass at all levels underneath, sinking toward the ground. Air mass becomes particularly anomalous at the lowest elevations. Thus it creates very stable weather and often arid air mass with minimal chances for precipitation or even clouds—the sinking air parcels in the centre of the heat dome result in rising temperatures.

Typically, much warmer and drier than usual weather results in a significantly enhanced wildfire threat due to developing drought or even worsening the ongoing, pre-existing, arid conditions. Heat dome is often also to blame for being responsible for deadly heatwaves worldwide.

This is compounded by the fact that parts of southern are being affected by dust from the Sahara, which can affect the use of firefighting aircraft in the event of a fire. One can only imaging the dangers for aerial fire fighters faced with both smoke and dust when tackling wildfires at low levels.

Due to major fires in Greece EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activate at the countries request for addition aircraft which has been provided. The fires in the country look severe and this will likely have an adverse effect on tourism in those areas.

Monday was a challenging day in Portugal with over 65 fires, with three mobilizing over 700 operatives. At one stage in Castelo Branco 14 aircraft were deployed in fighting two fires, this being a large deployment (20%) of the total available in mainland Portugal. Commanders must be congratulated on the fast response action we have seen with a sizable number of resources deployed reach the theatre of operations (To0 within minutes.

Although of course it would be far better, if fires did not start in the first place, the fast response is often the deciding factor as to where or not a fire can be contained quickly or spreads to a situation where it becomes out of control with a perimeter that can extend many kilometres.

Thank fully the number of fires has not been that high so far. When it does and there are several fires in close proximity breaking out at similar times then the allocation of resources, especially aircraft becomes much more of a logistical challenge.

Related to this we are very pleased with the response to our new Facebook group with nearly 800 members so far. This is tackling the issues such as those above, by helping people be more aware and prepared in the event of natural disasters. We do encourage you to join as at some stage faced with a major fire for instance you will not have to study of what action to take – by that time it is far too late. We welcome you to join our new page here.

Our team wish you a happy and safe week ahead.

News

Portugal escapes the heat wave, but there are tropical nights in the Algarve

Forecasts point to the country registering values ​​within the normal range for the season, at least in the next two weeks, points out IPMA meteorologist Bruno Café.

Portugal is passing by the heat wave that has affected Europe, with temperatures exceeding (by far) 40 degrees in countries like Spain, Greece and Italy.

The trend is that, at least in the next two weeks, the country will maintain values ​​“within normal for the season or even a little below”, explains Bruno Café, meteorologist at the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere.

There is, however, an exception to the south, with “the Algarve region, particularly in the Sotavento Algarve, where temperatures are higher, even on tropical nights, with minimums above 20 degrees”, adds the specialist.

As for August, forecasts point to temperatures within what is considered normal for the season or just a little above it.

ASAE closes 11 local accommodations in Lisbon after operation against illegal immigration

Lisbon, 18 Jul 2023 (Lusa) – The Food and Economic Security Authority closed today 11 local accommodations in Lisbon and initiated six administrative offense proceedings, following the operation that dismantled a criminal organization of illegal immigration, operating in several European countries.

In a statement, the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) says that the main violations detected had to do with “lack of registration, lack of hygiene conditions, the presence of pests, lack of safety conditions and protection measures, violation of personal data and capture and recording of images without proper authorization, among others”.

ASAE refers that it was part of the joint global operation coordinated by EUROJUST (European Union agency for cooperation in criminal justice matters) and EUROPOL (European Union agency for police cooperation), to “dismantle a criminal association responsible for circulating in the Europe of illegal migrants”.

“As part of this operation, aimed at combating human trafficking and aiding illegal immigration, ASAE, through its Southern Regional Unit, today carried out the inspection of more than a dozen local accommodation located in the city of Lisbon, where more than a hundred immigrants were housed, some of whom are illegally staying in the national territory”, advances the ASAE.

As a result of today’s operation, ASAE determined the suspension of 11 local accommodations (AL) and initiated six administrative offense proceedings.

ASAE also mentions that it will continue to develop inspection actions “in favour of healthy and fair competition between economic operators, in safeguarding consumer safety and in verifying compliance with current regulations”.

Following this joint operation, the Judiciary Police, through the National Unit Against Terrorism, arrested on Monday six people in the Lisbon region, suspected of being part of a criminal organization that encourages illegal immigration, suspected of crimes of criminal association. , human trafficking, aiding illegal immigration and forgery of documents.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 12^th July 2023

Good morning everyone, Well the good news is that our new Facebook group: Safe Communities Portugal Protection against Natural Disasters now has a membership approaching 500 – not bad considering it was only launched on Saturday.

I am pleased with this because in some respects it fills a vacuum here in Portugal, setting it apart from other social media in English, in that our new group is mainly focused on risk awareness, preparation aimed at reducing the impact of disasters, whereas on others are mainly concern fires once they have started.

Ewe are therefore following the UN Disaster Risk Reduction, the SANDAI Framework of which Portugal is a signatory, and importantly the priority be given to this by the Portuguese government.

We cannot prevent natural disasters, but there are some we can reduce, and certainly we can help reduce the impact on life and property.

We really encourage everyone to become a member, as in Portugal we face many risks regarding in terms of more intense fires and unpredictable and extreme weather. If we can understand this better we can come to live with it, knowing we have done our best to be prepared.

Safe Communities has received correspondence concerning holiday scams which have taking place some resulting the loss of a considerable amount to the property letting company. Others where the client has been scammed. There are a number of different methods, but the advice is the same, namely for owners/letting companies not to part to let a property without ensuring the payment has been received. Be aware of so called clients seeking rentals starting on the same, day especially a Friday, when bank payments can only be cleared on the Monday.

For clients please undertake research especially for properties advertised on social media. If the price is too good to be true it probably is!

Please be reminded that due to a CP strike, nationwide strong disruption in the circulation of trains are expected on 14th of July, with a possible impact on the days before and after the strike period. Check with CP first.

There has been some great work by the police in the last few days, with a crackdown on gangs in particular yesterday with over 27 arrested in an operation by the PSP against firearms traffickers. Very good work indeed.

Lastly remember that from the affixing of the car insurance sign on the car window is no longer mandatory as of Tuesday July 11, according to a law published this Monday in Diário da República , which also eliminates the associated fines for not doing so.

“This law eliminates the obligation to display the motor insurance label and proceeds with the second amendment of Decree-Law No. by Decree-Law n.º 153/2008, of August 6”, refers to Law n.º 32/2023, published this Monday.

A reminder we are now on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram so please check us out there.

Our team at Safe Communities wish you a very happy and safe week ahead. Take care with higher temperatures and remember to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

News

PJ detains bank employee for passive corruption in the private sector and money laundering

The assistant manager of a national banking institution allegedly operated in a criminal network based on the creation of shell companies and also on the creation of bank accounts for foreign citizens to obtain credit with false documentation.

This Tuesday, the Judiciary Police carried out six house searches, non-house searches and one arrest in Lisbon, within the scope of Operation Orange II, on suspicion of committing crimes of passive corruption in the private sector and money laundering in Lisbon

The home and non-domestic searches in the Greater Lisbon area led to an arrest by the PJ “because there are strong suspicions of the practice of crimes of passive corruption in the private sector, money laundering, qualified fraud, document forgery and breach of secrecy”.

The man arrested is 43 years old and holds a high position in a national banking institution.

The Judiciary Police carried out the arrest for alleged suspicions that the sub-manager “provided information of a banking nature to elements of a transnational network that has been dedicated to money laundering since, at least, the year 2019, receiving high monetary amounts in return”.

“The modus operandi of this criminal network was based on the creation of shell companies, in Belgium and Portugal, formed using the commonly known “front men” and the subsequent opening of bank accounts”, reads the statement.

These companies, according to the PJ, were mostly associated with the civil construction area and did not develop, in practice, what they were intended for.

They were then used for the “issuance of false invoicing” which would be a cover-up for bank transfers received with a value greater than 20 million euros.

In addition, the detained assistant manager requested bank credits by opening accounts for foreign citizens, non-residents, using false documentation.

In view of this, and present at the first judicial interrogation, coercive measures were applied to suspend the exercise of the profession and prohibit contact with the defendant.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 5^th July 2023

Good morning, We start with the good news which is that on Saturday we entered the maximum operational readiness period for rural fires namely the availability of 13,891 operatives (+974 compared to 2022); 2990 vehicles (+157 compared to 2022) and 67 aircraft (+7 compared to 2022).

This of course is very welcome news and represents an increase in operatives of 42% compared to 2017. However this is not the answer: the solution lies in prevention which is now where increasing amount of financial resources are being spent. If we can reduce the number of ignitions and the impact, then this would be a far more effective way in how we manage and prepare for disasters.

The fact that there are more resources to fight fires is important as fires are burning with more intensity which means if they get hold they can well spread faster and quicker. The result of this is that the perimeter of the fire increases and hence it become more difficult using more operatives to extinguish. Overnight fires are a problem as firefighting aircraft cannot be used.

It is good to see therefore  a “very muscular” response to fires in some cases over 100 operative being deployed within 45 minutes with as many of 5-6 aircraft and at the peak of fires many more. This very fast deployment appears to be achieving results with the majority of fires being brought under a conclusion during the initial attack stage i.e. 90 minutes – congratulations to all concerned.

Related to this it was reported yesterday that the Earth has just experienced the hottest day we have ever seen.

The average global air temperature recorded 2 metres above Earth’s surface was over 17°C (62.6°F) on 3 July, the highest that has ever been recorded. The temperature recorded 2 metres above Earth’s surface hit 17.01°C (62.62°F) on 3 July, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US and compiled by the University of Maine.

This may not seem very high but it is an average with some places much higher say in North Africa and some much lower for example the Antarctic. The spike in temperatures is likely to have been driven by recent heatwaves across the US, Europe and Canada, and accelerating El Niño conditions, which sees sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean rise above average.

In any event we are certainly feeling the effects already here in Portugal. So keep cool and well hydrated.

Turning to drought it was announced yesterday that the amount of water stored fell in June 2023 in eight river basins and rose in four compared to the previous month, according to data from the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH), referring to the state of 12 basins. Of the 57 monitored reservoirs – (each hydrographic basin can correspond to more than one reservoir) – 23 have water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and ten have availability below 40%. This is likely to worse later this month.

Our team wishes our hard working volunteer Susan Wright who posts the weekly reports on our website and looks after the SCP North and Central Facebook page, a very happy birthday. Thanks for publishing this on your Birthday Susan.

We wish everyone a great week ahead.

News:

GNR Operation “Golden Clam”

Yesterday evening it was reported that a GNR “Mega-operation” is taking place. Ten people have already been arrested and hundreds of military personnel are on site in a multidisciplinary operation with the Tax Authority (AT).

A GNR ‘Mega-operation’ called ‘Golden Clam’ is taking place this Tuesday in Setúbal, where 82 search and seizure warrants were carried out, 19 house searches and 63 non-domestic searches.

According to the person in charge of operations, Lieutenant-Colonel Adérito Rodrigues, contacted by SAPO24, there are at least ten detainees, involving suspicions of qualified tax fraud that could have harmed the State by several million euros, related to the collection and illegal sale of bivalves.

The person in charge confirms that this is a multidisciplinary operation that has been running for about a year and a half with the collaboration of the Montijo Research Center and the Tax Authority (AT).

So far, around 3 tonnes of bivalves have been seized in the councils of Alcochete, Montijo, Almada, Seixal and Sesimbra. Material used to catch these animals was also apprehended, as well as several vehicles.

According to the GNR, it is possible that the number of tons will increase throughout today.