Category: Uncategorized

The warning published by the Maritime Authority for Wednesday and Thursday (17^th/18^th December) forecasts waves that can reach 7 meters high on the high seas, which will give rise to a strong swells near the west coast of mainland Portugal. The IPMA has placed seven coastal areas of the mainland plus two areas in Madeira for high seas which may reach a maximum of 9-11 meters.

The National Maritime Authority and the Navy recommend precautions particular by the fishing community and those undertaking  recreational boating, to return to the nearest port of call and to adopt precautionary measures, as well as seek other information of port authorities on the conditions of access to ports, and avoiding going out to sea until conditions improve.

For the general population that frequent the coastal zones anywhere along the entire western coastline, it is advised that until the end of Friday people refrain from walking along the coast and on the beaches, as well as undertaking activities in areas exposed subject to to maritime unrest. People should avoid exposing themselves to unnecessarily risks.

If there is an absolute need to travel to the coast, a vigilant attitude must be maintained and always be aware that in these extreme conditions the sea can easily reach apparently safe areas.

It is emphasised that recreational anglers take extreme caution, avoiding fishing along the cliffs and upstream areas on the coastal fronts hit by wave surf, always bearing in mind that the sea in these extreme situations often reaches areas which are thought to be secure.

At least eight people died and dozens were injured, some seriously, after a salamander exploded and started a fire late Saturday at the packed premises of a local residents association in, Vila Nova da Rainha, Tondela  in the north of Portugal.

A salamander explosion at 20.40 hrs set fire to the false ceiling of the building and caused widespread panic as people on both floors of the association rushed to the front door. Several people were overwhelmed and this was the cause of the most serious injuries. But there are also several cases of people who have suffered severe burns.

Civil Protection Agency commander Paulo Santos told local radio station TSF that at least at least 35 people were injured, 14 of them in serious condition. One of the injured is a 15 year old.
Around 70 people were taking part in an evening amateur card tournament when the fire occoured. They said people crowded the exits as thick smoke filled the building. Dozens of fire crews and two rescue helicopters were at the scene taking the injured to hospital.

According to the CDOS at the peak of the operation were mobilized about 200 operatives and 74 vehicles involved in victim assistance operations. Four aerial media were activated. Six medical teams from INEM that set up an advanced medical post in order to screen all the wounded.

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa,will visit the scene this morning Sunday 14^th January.

On 11 January 2018, a crime group suspected of hosting a large-scale illegal IPTV streaming business has been dismantled. The investigations were led by the Cypriot Police – Intellectual Property Crime Unit, with the support of the Cybercrime Division of the Greek Police, the Dutch Fiscal Investigative and Intelligence Service (FIOD), the Cybercrime Unit of the Bulgarian Police, Europol’s Intellectual Property Crime Coordinated Coalition (IPC) and with the support of members of the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA). In total, four individuals have been arrested and 17 houses searches have been carried out in Cyprus, Bulgaria and Greece.

The network is accused of illicitly distributing Greek, Cypriot and foreign pay TV subscriber channels, using several servers to facilitate illegal signal dissemination via subscription channels. These services were allegedly offered through retailers throughout Europe and sold as a monthly illegal subscription for as little as 20 Euros.

In total, one individual was arrested in Bulgaria on the action day, alongside three others in Cyprus. The servers used to distribute the channels were shut down, and IP addresses hosted by a Dutch company were also deactivated thanks to the cooperation of the authorities of The Netherlands. In Bulgaria, 84 servers and 70 satellite receivers were seized, with decoders, computers and accounting documents.

Read more

The Regional Police of the Public Security Police of Madeira informs that it has conducted, through the Police unit of Ribeira Brava, a crime prevention operation that culminated in the seizure of 12 firearms, more specifically 12mm shotguns intended for hunting, in an irregular situation and contrary to the legal provisions governing arms and ammunition.

These preventive actions of the Public Security Police are intended to ensure the removal of firearms, their components or ammunition, thereby reducing the risk of offenses or crimes.

The Madeira Regional Command advises the public to communicate to the PSP immediately any suspicious or criminal offenses which it has knowledge of, using the general line (+351 291 208 400) or, where appropriate, or the crime in progress by calling the emergency line (112).

Funchal and Regional Command of Madeira, January 9, 2018

NATIONAL AUTHORITY OF CIVIL PROTECTION · WEDNESDAY, 10 JANUARY 2018

1. SITUATION

Following the contact with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) held today, January 9, by the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC), a worsening of conditions in the next few hours, with the most critical period being expected between 08:00 hrs on 10^th January and 08:00 hrs on 11^th January.

We highlight the following:

Intensification of precipitation (especially in the north coast) reaching 20 mm in 12 hours (in the period of 09:00 hrs and 21:00 hrs on 10th to the north of the Montejunto / Estrela mountain system, not excluding the possibility of hail falling on the north coast, as well as the occurrence of fog, ice or frost in the north and central interior areas (Montemuro and part of the Estrela);

Snowfall in the period between 15:00 and 21:00 hrs from 10 Jan, from above 1000/1200 meters, in the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu and Guarda and, with special intensity, in the mountains of the region North (Padrela, Marão, Montemuro and part of the Serra da Estrela);

Strong winds with gusts up to 65 km / h, on the north and central areas, reaching 85 km / h in the highlands.

Northwest wave with a height of 4/5 meters, along the west coast, from the morning of 10 Jan and by the end of the afternoon of 11 Jan, which can increase to 5/6 meters (maximum height up to 10 meters) during the afternoon of 10 JAN and the morning of 11 Jan, in the districts north of Cabo Raso (Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria and Lisbon).

Follow the weather forecasts on www.ipma.pt

EXPECTED AFFECTS

In view of the situation described above, the following effects may occur:

• Slippery road surface and possible formation of water and ice patches;
• Possibility of rapid flooding in urban areas, due to the accumulation of rainwater or insufficient drainage systems;
• Possibility of flooding by transhipment of water lines in historically more vulnerable areas;
• Floods of underground urban structures with drainage deficiencies;
• Damage to mounted or suspended structures;
• Drainage problems in urban systems, especially those occurring during periods of high tide, and may cause flooding in historically more vulnerable areas;
• Possibility of falling branches or trees due to strong wind;
• Possible coastal shoreline accidents;
• Geomorphological incidents caused by instability of slopes associated with soil saturation, due to loss of consistency.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The ANPC reminds people that the possible impact of these effects can be minimized, especially through the adoption of appropriate behaviours. Therefore, and especially in the most vulnerable areas, it is recommended to observe and disseminate the main self-protection measures for these situations, namely:

• Ensure clearing of rainwater drainage systems and removal of aggregates and other objects that may be dragged or may obstruct the free flow of water;
• To adopt a defensive driving, reducing the speed and taking special care with the possible accumulation of snow and formation of water patches on roadways;
• Do not cross flooded areas, so as to prevent persons or vehicles falling into holes in the pavement or open sewage boxes;
• Carry snow chains on the vehicles, whenever you move in areas affected by snowfall;
• Ensure adequate fixing of loose structures, namely scaffolding, placards and other suspended structures;
• Take special care near or in wooded areas, being aware of the possibility of falling branches and trees, due to a strong winds;
• Take special care in along the coast and riverside areas historically more vulnerable to coastal gullies, avoiding if possible visiting or staying in these places;
• Do not engage in activities related to the sea, namely sport fishing, water sports and walks by the sea, avoiding the parking of vehicles very close to the seafront;
• Be aware of meteorological information and Civil Protection and Security Forces indications.

The public prosecutor confirmed Thursday 4^th January 2018 that three defendants, including the mayor of Funchal, have been arrested, due to the fall of the tree that killed 13 people in Madeira, and continued the investigation “for the collection of forensic expert evidence.”

According to a statement published on the page of the District Attorney General of Lisbon (PGDL), what is at stake is “the investigation of the omission of the care required in the conservation of urban space and the tree.”

“The mayor of Funchal [Paulo Cafôfo], the councilor of the Municipality of Funchal with the responsibility of the Urban Environment, Green Spaces and Public Spaces [Idalina Perestrelo] and the Head of the Division of Gardens, were constituted and questioned as defendants, and Green Urban Spaces of the City Hall of Funchal, “the same note said.

At issue are “the facts of the case concerning the death of 13 persons and offenses to the physical integrity of 53 others, due to the fall of a tree in public space, being in question the investigation of the omission of the care required in the conservation of urban space and from the tree”.

“The investigation has been carried out by the PJ of Funchal under the direction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the DIAP of Funchal, in addition to the collaboration of botanic specialists, and the investigation is still ongoing to gather forensic expert evidence,” he adds. Source DN

1. SITUATION

Meteorological situation:

Following the contact with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), held today at the National Civil Protection Authority (ANPC) National Relief Operations Command centre (CNOS), and according to the available meteorological information, for the next 24 hours, a worsening of the meteorological conditions in expected, emphasizing:

• Periods of rain, which can be locally strong (between 10 and 20 mm in an hour), gradually passing from north to south from the morning, with downpours that may be locally intense, occasionally accompanied by hail and thunderstorms, less frequent from the late afternoon;
• Possibility of snowfall above 1,500 meters of altitude, gradually descending to 800/1000 meters in the North and Centre regions;
• Moderate southwest wind, blowing strong (up to 45 km/h) and bursts up to 70 km/h, turning northwest from the morning. In the highlands, strong southwest wind, sometimes with gusts up to 90 km / h, running northwest from the morning;
• Rough seas on the west coast (with northwest waves 4-5 meters), a situation that will remain during the weekend;
• Decrease in temperature, being in particular minimum temperatures in the North and Centre regions.

Follow the weather forecasts on www.ipma.pt

2. EXPECTED AFFECTS

In view of the situation described above, the following effects may occur:

• Slippery road surface and possible formation of water and ice patches;
• Possibility of rapid flooding in urban areas, due to the accumulation of rainwater or insufficient drainage systems;
• Possibility of flooding by transhipment of water lines in historically more vulnerable areas;
• Floods of underground urban structures with drainage deficiencies;
• Damage to mounted or suspended structures;
• Drainage problems in urban systems, especially those occurring during periods of high tide, and may cause flooding in historically more vulnerable areas;
• Possibility of falling branches or trees due to strong wind;
• Possible coastal shoreline accidents;
• Geomorphological incidents caused by instability of slopes associated with soil saturation, due to loss of consistency.

3. PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The ANPC reminds people that the possible impact of these effects can be minimized, especially through the adoption of appropriate behaviours. Therefore, and especially in the most vulnerable areas, it is recommended to observe and disseminate the main self-protection measures for these situations, namely:

– Ensure clearing of rainwater drainage systems and removal of aggregates and other objects that may be dragged or may obstruct the free flow of water;

– To adopt a defensive driving, reducing the speed and taking special care with the possible accumulation of snow and formation of water patches on roadways;

– Do not cross flooded areas, so as to prevent persons or vehicles falling into holes in the pavement or open sewage boxes;

– Carry snow chains on the vehicles, whenever you move in areas affected by snowfall;

– Ensure adequate fixing of loose structures, namely scaffolding, placards and other suspended structures;

– Take special care near or in wooded areas, being aware of the possibility of falling branches and trees, due to a strong winds;

– Take special care in along the coast and riverside areas historically more vulnerable to coastal gullies, avoiding if possible visiting or staying in these places;

– Do not engage in activities related to the sea, namely sport fishing, water sports and walks by the sea, avoiding the parking of vehicles very close to the seafront;

– Be aware of meteorological information and Civil Protection and Security Forces indications.

Translated by Safe Communities Portugal

www.safecommunitiesportugal.com

More than 500 people died last year on Portuguese roads, according to data from the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), which also indicate an increase in road accidents and serious injuries compared to 2016.

According to the figures available on ANSR’s website, 509 people died on the Portuguese roads, 64 more than in 2016 (12.5%).

There were 130,157 accidents on the roads (127,210 in 2016) and 2,181 serious injuries (2,102).

The ANSR data, which refer to mainland Portugal and are still provisional, indicate that of the accidents last year resulted in 41,591 minor injuries, against 39,121 registered in the previous year.

In the last week of the year (between 22 and 31 December) were recorded by the authorities 15 fatalities and 56 serious injuries.

The accumulated data for the year indicate that the district with the most accidents recorded was Lisbon (26,698), followed by Porto (23,606), Braga (10,980), Faro (10,752), Aveiro (10,416) and Setúbal (10,147).

Porto leads in number of fatalities, with 68 registered in 2017, followed by the districts of Setúbal (56), Lisbon (51), Aveiro (44) and Santarém (43).

The district with the most serious injuries registered in 2017 on Portuguese roads was Lisbon (311), followed by Faro (192), Setúbal (189), Santarém (186) and Porto (170).

Today the ANPC is marking the 13th anniversary of Portugal’s emergency support mission to Indonesia as a result of the tsunami that affected that archipelago and many other Indian states on December 26, 2004.

The former National Fire and Civil Protection Service, together with the General Directorate of Health, and the Portuguese Institute for Development Support, formed two support mission teams with the objective of intervening to reduce the risk of epidemics occurring in the country. The region of Banda Aceh in the northern part of Sumatra Island, was one of the most affected by the effects of the natural catastrophe.

The 1st mission team of four doctors, two nurses, two officers logistics ANPC and interpreter, left Portugal on a special flight to January 4, 2015 with 42 tons of drug load and a Field Hospital formed by six modules with different valences (total of 9 tons).

During the support mission in Aceh, the first team focused on 24-hour hospital care and travel to refugee camps to assess the epidemiological situation. About 1200 people were assisted, with predominant respiratory diseases, followed by skin problems, traumas and gastrointestinal problems.

This mission, expected to be completed in early February, ended up extending to the end of the month with a Portuguese team on the ground, given a wider and new strength. Five doctors, four nurses, four logisticians and two psychologists, were in Indonesia until February 23, not only to ensure the functioning of the Emergency Hospital, but also to provide support for psychological trauma, and to ensure rehabilitation of local health structures that were heavily affected by the catastrophe.

In this scope, at the end of the mission, Portugal ceded to the Indonesian authorities all the hospital equipment that constituted the Portuguese support structure.

The Portuguese teams concluded this mission with the recognition of the host country, and the Provincial Government of Aceh sent a thank-you note to the Portuguese authorities for the services provided. The merit of the professionals seconded in this mission was also graced by the Portuguese Government through public praise.