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Situation Reports news and reviews

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 14th February 2024

Good morning, well after the disappointment of the cancellation of most of the children’s Carnival events on 9th February and the Sunday carnival parades on 11th, due to bad weather under the influence of Depression Karlotta, the parades finally took place on Carnival Tuesday 13th.

The good news is however that we finally in the Algarve received some long awaited rain. In the last week or so all reservoirs in the Algarve have had an increase in storage, in the order of 2% vs the previous week. Still very low levels compared to the average. But as important as the reservoirs are, the levels of groundwater are also an important indicator and those will only be known by the end of February.

The rural fire risk has been at a low level since the start of the year and now is the time to start planning your land cleaning for those who live in rural areas, particularly high risk areas.  We are still with higher levels of humidity and cooler weather, so the fire risk remains low.

This is also the time of the year when garden waste can be burned in small piles PROVIDED the relevant safety conditions are followed. Unfortunately sometimes such burnings have become out of control as a result of those responsible not following the law concerning registration/authorisation or safety advice. As a result this has led to damage to rural areas and property and places the community and those who have to deal with such fires at risk.

It is important therefore to follow the law and adhere to the safety guidelines in burning debris. On days of Very High or Maximum Risk, waste-burning is prohibited unless prior authorisation is obtained from the Câmara Municipal. When the risk is low, moderate or high all that is required is to register the fire with the Câmara Municipal (Municipal Bombeiros) or 808 200 520 or online at https://fogos.icnf.pt/InfoQueimasQueimadas/ in advance. Inform the authority on what you intend to burn.

We have previously expressed concern that during weather warnings there are some who ignore these warnings placing themselves and rescuers in danger. It comes as no surprise therefore that in 2023 in Madeira, nearly two dozen people have been washed out to sea off the North Coast. The report goes onto say that these occasions are mostly connected with a desire to recreate photographs that they have seen on social networks.

On this subject, the Operational Commander Comandante do Corpo Operacional – SANAS Madeira, Angelo Abreu, states that “we monitor with serious concern the voluntary exposure of citizens, mostly foreigners, to risks along the coastline on days with maritime disturbance warnings in effect. “The cause for these events, either by the words of the victims themselves or by those bystanders when the outcome is fatal, has become repetitive: “a photograph”.

Angelo Abreu ensures that the close collaboration between SANAS Madeira and the Maritime Search and Rescue Sub-Centre of Funchal (MRSC Funchal) allows us to guarantee the quickest operational response times, but when people are willing to risk their own lives to recreate one photography, we have to place operational and equipment at risk for unthinkable actions that tend to occur on days when maritime disturbance warnings are in effect. We ask people therefore to respect these warnings which are in place for a very good reason – your safety.

Coupled with the record high air temperatures in January, the ocean in 2024 also continues to rise in temperature, and is warmer now than any time in 2023. Several weeks before the annual temperature peak, and this year we are already having sea temperatures above the previous record set last year. Given that it takes 3000 times more energy to heat water than air I fear we have reached a point where global warming will no longer be something that can be debated as real or “made up” – soon we will be confronted by unthinkable extremes – and unfortunately I fear that it will already be in the next few months

We wish you a Happy “Year of the Dragon” In Mandarin: “Xīnnián hǎo” (新年好),

In Cantonese: “Gong hei fat choy” (恭喜发财)

News

PSP seized drugs, 44 firearms and 26 bladed weapons in the Carnival operation

Lisbon, 13 Feb 2024 (Lusa) – The PSP seized 15,260 doses of drugs and 44 firearms, as well as 26 bladed weapons, as part of the “Carnival in Security” operation, in which it detained 13 people for possession of prohibited weapons.

Between February 5th and 12th, the Public Security Police detained 481 people, of whom 117 were for road crimes and 62 for driving under the influence of alcohol, during road inspection actions carried out in mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira.

55 drivers were without a license and 49 were arrested for drug trafficking specified in the statement that the PSP issued today.

In the PSP’s area of ​​responsibility, 1,187 accidents were recorded, resulting in 351 minor injuries, five serious injuries and two fatalities.

Since the beginning of the operation, the PSP has inspected 11,290 drivers and checked 54,450 vehicles using radar.

“In total, 2,681 administrative offenses were recorded, of which we highlight 512 for speeding, 78 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 249 for lack of mandatory periodic inspection, 79 for lack of civil liability insurance and 48 for using a cell phone during driving”, explained the PSP.

Driving at excessive speeds, one of the main causes of road accidents, represented 19% of the total infractions verified.

“42 arrests were also made for crimes against property and 170 judicial arrest warrants were executed,” added the police.

Trump’s statements are “dangerous and frankly irresponsible”

Brussels, February 13, 2024 (Lusa) – The United States ambassador to NATO today considered that former President Donald Trump’s statements about encouraging the invasion of Atlantic Alliance countries by Russia are “dangerous and frankly irresponsible”.

“Encouraging the Kremlin to attack any North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] country or Alliance territory puts our soldiers – those of the United States and those of our allies – in danger. Doing so, through these types of statements, is dangerous and frankly irresponsible”, said Julianne Smith, during a briefing with journalists, via videoconference, to anticipate a ministerial meeting on Thursday.

On Saturday, Republican Donald Trump said, just a few days before the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that, if re-elected President of the United States, he would encourage Moscow to do whatever it wanted with countries with smaller contributions to NATO.

The 45th President of the United States of America (USA) made the statements during a rally in South Carolina, intensifying attacks against foreign aid and long-standing international alliances, for example, NATO.

Donald Trump said he was confronted by the President of a NATO country about the threat of letting one of the member states be attacked if they failed to meet the objectives of financial contributions to the Atlantic Alliance.

“One of the presidents of one of the big countries stood up and said, ‘Well, sir [Trump], if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, are you going to defend us?’” Trump told supporters.

And he replied: “No, I won’t protect you anymore. In fact, I will encourage you (Russia) to do whatever you want with you. You have to pay the debts you have.”

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 7th February 2024

– by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and welcome to the first Algarve Report of 2024. If you wondered where we have been since last year, the writer was taking a visit to the UK over Christmas followed by a three week stay in Thailand. Visiting a tourist island in Asia was much like we in the Algarve experience during the peak summer season. The roads are busy with tourists and the beaches and restaurants are jammed with sunseekers and hungry visitors. Nothing much to report differently then! One thing that was very different is the water situation. Thailand has no issues with water in fact there is so much of it it runs off the hills into the roads and in many places makes driving conditions difficult which is in part one of the reasons that there are so many road traffic incidents.

So to our own region, The Commission for Hydro Agricultural Sustainability of the Algarve warned the water cuts planned for Algarve agriculture threaten the production of 95,000 tons of fruit and losses of 130 million euros in business in 2025.The restrictions imposed on water consumption to save water due to the drought affecting the region could also put around 1,000 jobs at risk, in the production of avocados and red fruits alone, warned the recently created commission, which groups 120 producers, farmers and irrigation associations in the Algarve.

“The cuts in water supply in the Algarve announced by the Government could lead to a drop in the production of 88,000 tons of oranges, 6,500 tons of avocados, 850 tons of red fruits, around a million bottles of wine and all ornamental production, within a year”, he quantified.

According to the same source, the economy of these sectors could lose 134 million euros in 2025, in addition to the impacts that will also be felt on production in 2024, such as a 16% decrease in citrus production made up of smaller fruits with less juice.

The commission estimated that 1,000 jobs are at stake in the production of avocados and red fruits, as well as a 60% drop in wine production, but classified as the “most serious scenario” that of ornamental flowers, which could have “a total collapse of the sector in 2025”.

While the water issue is still with us and as we wait for more rain there is now a protest group against the latest solution that has been touted by the authorities, the desalination plant. This time it is a group of immigrants in the area around where the plant is due to be built that have presented a paper showing in their view that this is not the answer to the region’s water problems. They have threatened to take their case to the EU if they are not given a chance to have their ideals aired. We will see what comes of this latest twist in the water debate. One of the groups main issues is with the amount of water wasted by the utility companies each year. It is estimated that nearly 30% of water is lost through leakage.

Duarte Cordeiro, Minister for Environment  announced the restrictions on water consumption in the Algarve after a meeting of the committee that monitors the effects of the drought and stated, at the time, that, “if nothing was done regarding the moderation of consumption, it would be the end of the year no water for public supply” in the Algarve.

Here are a few of the many stories that have been happening in the past few weeks.

Algarve water cuts and price rises for biggest users

Water tariffs will rise in the Algarve for those who do not save on consumption according to the Intermunicipal Community of the Algarve. A press release stated “It is urgent and absolutely necessary to save water in the Algarve and the change in tariffs is part of a set of measures, already announced by the Government, to reduce water consumption by 15%, given the serious drought problem in the region. Restricting consumption to what is strictly essential is the objective of this measure”.

The changes were decided at a meeting held at the Algarve Intermunicipal Community, and are based on the proposal from the Water and Waste Services Regulatory Entity (ERSAR).

The increases leave out the first tier, in the second the increase will be 15%, in the third 30% and in the fourth tier it reaches 50%.

The tiers are not the same in all municipalities, but, in general, consumption is distributed as follows: First tier: up to 5m3 of consumption per month. It is exempt from the increase.

Second tier: between 5 and 15m3 of monthly consumption. Covers most consumers.

Third tier: goes from 15 to 25m3 of consumption.

Fourth tier: above 25m3.

According to AMAL, Algarve municipalities are obliged to reach the target of 15% in reducing water consumption, established by the Government, and fines will be applied in cases where uses considered excessive persist. Municipalities that, for the second consecutive month, do not reduce consumption, suffer a reduction in the water supplied to them, which means that they will have less water available in their taps.

The president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community hopes that with these measures we will gain “real awareness of the serious problem we are experiencing in the Algarve region, which requires everyone’s involvement and effort”. António Pina considers that in the case of the second tier, which includes the vast majority of consumers, “if a family saves 15% on consumption, the increase in tariffs will be zero. In the remaining tiers, if consumers adopt the same stance, they will also not feel the rise in tariffs, but anyone who does not save, who is not in solidarity with all other consumers and continues to use more water than they should and need, will be penalised”.

Of the 16 municipalities in the Algarve, only Silves expressed their intention not to implement this measure.

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

66-year-old accountant accused of 19 crimes of aiding illegal immigration

The Public Ministry (MP) charged an accountant with crimes of aiding illegal immigration and falsifying documents that occurred between 2019 and 2020, in the Algarve, benefiting from financial compensation between 100 and 1,300 euros, it was announced today.

According to a note published on the portal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the District of Faro, the woman, aged 66, is accused by the Public Prosecutor of the Albufeira Court of 19 crimes of aiding illegal immigration and 56 of forgery of documents.

According to the MP, the defendant “issued false receipt invoices” through the Tax Authority (AT) portal, in return for payment of amounts between 100 and 1,300 euros, the note reads.

The aim was to complete the declarations of income earned by immigrants who did not have sufficient income to request the right to family reunification.

The practice aimed to create the illusion among the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), now extinct, that the income was sufficient for the right to family reunification to be granted.

The woman accessed the AT electronic portal with the data provided by the immigrants, issuing receipts, “giving a third party trader as the purchaser of the immigrant’s work and indicating a value for the work provided”.

The receipt was then given to the immigrant who completed his administrative process with the SEF, “justifying that he had sufficient income from salaried work to support family reunification”, concludes the Prosecutor’s Office.

Works on the road network will increase safety and traffic flow in Albufeira

Albufeira City Council announced today that it is carrying out a series of works on the municipality’s road network to increase the safety of motorists and pedestrians and the fluidity of traffic.

In a statement, the municipality said that, among the works, is the contract to requalify Estrada do Paraíso, covering a length of 1,500 metres, which is almost completed, representing an investment of 85 thousand euros.

“This is a complex project that consisted of repaving several streets, namely the Paradise Road and the school and market streets”, says the Mayor, José Carlos Rolo, quoted in the note.The mayor adds that there was “the need to rectify the changes caused by tree roots and various collapses, and the requalification of the walkways”.

Suspect of robbing goldsmith shop in Quarteira is in pre-trial detention

A 23-year-old man suspected of robbing a goldsmith shop at gunpoint in November 2023 in Quarteira will await trial in preventive detention, the Judiciary Police ( PJ ) announced today.

In a statement, the police reported that the man, arrested on Wednesday at his home, “is strongly indicted” for the crime of robbery perpetrated using “an instrument used as a firearm”.

The man, who “did not act alone” in the robbery of the goldsmith shop in Quarteira, in the municipality of Loulé, was detained during a joint operation by the PJ and the Republican National Guard.After being heard in the first judicial interrogation, preventive detention was imposed on him, the most serious coercive measure.

PJ arrests drug trafficker with international arrest warrant

The Judicial Police (PJ) detained, in the Algarve, a citizen with an Interpol international arrest warrant , issued by the UK judicial authorities, suspected of committing the crime of drug trafficking, it was announced today.

“The location of the man, and subsequent arrest, by the PJ’s Criminal Information Unit, was possible, in less than 24 hours, through the exchange of police information with the National Crime Agency (NCA), which leads the fight against crime. serious and organised in the United Kingdom”, details the PJ in a statement.

Pending extradition, the Évora Court of Appeal ordered that the individual be held in preventive detention.

Fire destroys Algarve restaurant In Praia Da Luz

A fire destroyed a restaurant in Praia da Luz, in the municipality of Lagos,on Wednesday, without causing any injuries. According to a source from the Algarve Civil Protection Sub-regional Command, the fire alert was given shortly after midnight, and the restaurant is described as being “completely burnt down”.

“The restaurant, built in wood, was closed and with no one inside,” said the same source. The causes of the fire are unknown and are being investigated by police authorities, he added.25 Civil Protection elements were involved in fighting the flames, supported by nine vehicles. Reports on social media claim that the restaurant that has burnt down was called Paraíso.

This is the third restaurant since the turn of the year that has been damaged by fire. Two restaurants located on Vau beach in Portimão, were partially destroyed on the 16th January, following a fire that was extinguished at 7:10 am, a source from the Maritime Police revealed .The Source from the Algarve Sub-Regional Command said that the alert for the fire was given at 6:15 am, with 22 operational personnel at the location at 7:10 am, with members of the Portimão, Lagoa and Monchique Fire Department, PSP, Maritime Authority and Municipal Protection Service Civil, with the support of 10 vehicles. The causes of the fire are not yet known.

Finally to end this report, a subject we at Safe Communities have been promoting heavily in the past year,  Loulé City Council presented in Quarteira, the evacuation signage due to the risk of tsunami, which provides for the installation of six sirens, 140 signs and 13 meeting points along the coast.

“Living is a risk and we have to be prepared [if a tsunami occurs]”, said the mayor of Loulé during the ceremony to present the new signage, at Zé beach, on Calçadão de Quarteira.

For Vítor Aleixo, the most important thing will be to “raise awareness and inform” the population and tourists about the behaviour they should have in the event of a tsunami warning.

Have a great week.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 7th February 2024

Good morning, following a spell of spring time weather conditions, wet weather is set to return to the mainland from Thursday. Although there are variations in the forecasts using different metrological models, one thing is fairly sure that rain will affect all of the mainland to a greater or lesser degree, with forecasts of snow in parts of the north.

The IPMA have issued yellow level rain warnings for all districts plus yellow and orange yellow level warnings for warnings for rough seas and yellow level warnings for high winds. It is important to monitor these warnings and those issued by the ANEPC, together with the specific preventive measures. After a period of dry weather roads are bound to be slippery – so please take care.

PSP police officers and GNR soldiers are currently demanding payment of the mission supplement, similar to what was introduced recently for the Judicial Police. To reinforce their demands some have been taking medical leave. On Friday, some PSP elements from the Braga command and the Lisbon airport police station attempted to hand over their service weapons. As commanders had not authorized the delivery, the agents decided, as an alternative, to take medical leave, say the unions. The number of police officers taking sick leave has been increasing daily since Friday, but the PSP have insisted that although manning levels at Lisbon airport is reduced, it is not affecting airport security or border control. Following a gathering of some 300 PSP and GNR personnel outside the office of the Ministry of Internal Administration on 4th February, elements of the PSP and GNR will stage further protests, with vigils at airports and ports on February 15 and a demonstration in Lisbon on February 19, the Platform of Unions and Associations announced today.

In response the Prime Minister has stated that the current government lacks constitutional and political legitimacy to decide on permanent expenses referring any negotiations to the future executive. Let us hope that this can be resolved as soon as possible.

Good news is that according to the GNR, since 2013 and until 2023, there has been a positive evolution with regard to the reduction, not only in the number of rural fire ignitions, but also in the burned area itself, with 46% fewer fires being recorded in rural areas and 72% less burned area, compared to the annual average for the period. At this time of the year for those living in rural areas, especially high risk areas, we now need to turn our attention to land cleaning in order to reduce the risk of and fires  spreading to properties. The deadline for this is normally 30th April, but is never too soon to start planning on what work needs to be undertaken.

On Monday it was reported that the Safe Internet Line of the Portuguese Victim Support Association (APAV) registered 1,522 cases last year, 731 of which related to requests for support from victims of cybercrime and other forms of digital violence. Saddening is that this number represents “a significant increase” compared to the previous year, following the growth trend of recent years, according to data released by APAV. In 2023, the focus remained on fraud crimes and forms of violence associated with the threat of sharing intimate content. It is important that everyone using the internet and social media, adopts safeguards to reduce the risks of becoming a victim of cybercrime and digital violence.

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

News

Requests for support from victims of cybercrime and digital violence increase

Lisbon, 06 Feb 2024 (Lusa) – The Safe Internet Line of the Portuguese Victim Support Association (APAV) registered 1,522 cases last year, 731 of which related to requests for support from victims of cybercrime and other forms of digital violence.

This number represents “a significant increase” compared to the previous year, following the growth trend of recent years, according to data released today by APAV.

In 2022, the association registered 478 requests for support due to cybercrime and other forms of digital violence, a source from the institution told the Lusa agency.

“In 2023, the focus remained on fraud crimes and forms of violence associated with the threat of sharing intimate content. In the case of scams, a total of 332 contacts were registered, highlighting situations of online commerce and romantic scams”, said APAV when releasing a document with which it marks Safer Internet Day.

In cases classified as sexual violence based on images, the line recorded 184 contacts: “A total of 99 contacts referred to situations of ‘sextortion’ (a form of violence in which the victim is coerced into sending intimate content or amounts of money, to prevent the aggressor from sharing intimate images of themselves)”.

There are also contacts regarding sexual crimes against children, namely situations of grooming minors for sexual purposes and pornography of minors.

The Safe Internet Line provides support in two areas, issues related to the use of technology and victims of cybercrime and other forms of digital violence (helpline) and has a platform for reporting illegal content on the internet (‘hotline’).

“In terms of the ‘hotline’, a total of 791 reports were registered, including 628 relating to content involving sexual abuse of minors — since the beginning of the pandemic, these forms of violence are the ones that have increased the most, both nationally and globally. ”, highlighted APAV.

Regarding online child sexual abuse material, the majority continues to be “self-produced by children and young people”, often achieved through “manipulation perpetrated by adults (grooming)”.

The Safe Internet Line is available by calling 800219090 (weekdays, between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm) and by email atlinhainternetsegura@apav.pt . Support is confidential and free. 

Police action demanding introduction of a mission supplement similar to Judicial Police

Lisbon, 06 Feb 2024 (Lusa) – Around 60 of the 375 police officers who work at Lisbon Airport are on leave, a union source warned today, while the National Directorate of the PSP guarantees that neither airport security nor border control is at stake .

The number of police officers taking sick leave has been increasing daily since Friday, Carlos Oliveira, leader of the Police Professionals Union Association (ASPP-PSP), told Lusa.

The union leader stated that the number of police casualties is affecting the various services of the PSP Airport Security Division in Lisbon, including border control.

Contacted by Lusa, the national management of the PSP admitted that there are police officers on leave in that division, but assured that this is not affecting airport security or border control.

The first casualties were reported after, on Friday, some PSP elements from the Braga command and the Lisbon airport police station attempted to hand over their service weapons.

As hierarchical superiors did not authorize the delivery, the agents decided, as an alternative, to take medical leave, say the unions.

The PSP Airport Security Division is where agent Pedro Costa works, who started the police protests at the Assembly of the Republic about a month ago.

Police officers are not allowed to present self-declarations of illness required through SNS24, and casualties must be certified by a doctor, a determination that arises from the professional status of the PSP, which is a special law for police officers.

In a response to Lusa, the national management of the PSP explains that police officers have five working days to justify absences from work, a period that is also applied to the presentation of proof of sick leave.

PSP and GNR elements have staged several protests to demand a supplement identical to that allocated to the Judiciary Police.

The protest began four weeks ago following the initiative of agent Pedro Costa, which later spread to the entire country.

The majority of protests have been called through social media, namely ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘Telegram’, with an inorganic movement called ‘inop movement’ emerging in recent days, which does not have any intervention from the unions, despite the existence of a platform that brings together unions from the PSP and GNR associations, created to demand a review of salary supplements for security forces.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 7th February 2024

Reduction in Ryanair flights impacted the business of tourist companies.

CCIPD survey of businesspeople reveals that 46% declare that turnover in January 2024 was lower than the same period last year.

The reduction in the number of seats for Ryanair impacted the sales volume of Oriental Group companies, with business people revealing a reduction in business of around 46% in January 2024, when compared to the same period last year.

This is one of the conclusions of the survey on tourism in the low season, carried out by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada (CCIPD) between the 22nd and 29th of January, to companies on the islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria.

The CCIPD intended to “identify the current situation of companies and future perspectives according to activity indicators”, having received responses mainly from companies linked to tourism (local accommodation, hotels and restaurants) from four municipalities on the islands: Ponta Delgada, Vila do Porto, Ribeira Grande and Nordeste.

And of the responses received, 68% of companies point to the reduction in the number of seats offered by Ryanair (88 thousand fewer seats, round trip, between Ponta Delgada and Porto and Lisbon) as a factor impacting the volume of sales, which worsened in recent months.

 

Reserve contingent prepared for Cup game.

The PSP Regional Command and the GNR Azores Territorial Command are preparing reserve contingents for the Portuguese Cup game between Santa Clara and FC Porto, scheduled for tomorrow, February 7th, on the island of São Miguel, at 3pm.

Meetings at the regional command centres of the two security forces have intensified in recent days, due to what happened at national level over the weekend, when three meetings were postponed due to lack of policing, namely the 1st League game between Famalicão and Sporting, and the 2nd League games between Feirense and Académico de Viseu and between Leixões and Nacional.

The issue is ensuring that the Portuguese Cup quarter-final match takes place with the necessary presence of security forces at the São Miguel Stadium.

 

Three arrested for qualified homicide on Terceira Island

The Judiciary Police detained two women, aged 43 and 46, and a man, aged 25, due to strong evidence of the crime of qualified homicide, in the city of Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, as part of a police operation, in which 14 searches were carried out on January 24th and 25th.

According to a statement from the Judiciary Police, the investigation, conducted by the Azores Criminal Investigation Department, “began on December 20, 2023, when the victim, aged 77, was found dead inside his residence”.

The evidence collected indicates that the two women “were co-authors of the crime, with the complicity of the first woman’s husband and that the younger woman, who maintained a loving relationship with the victim, planned, together with the 46-year-old woman, the appropriation of large sums of money. amounts of money and other goods, which the deceased kept at his residence”, says the Judicial Police.

To do this, “they went to the victim’s home, when there, they inflicted injuries on the man’s cranial region, using a blunt object”.

Present at the first judicial interrogation, the two women were placed in pre-trial detention. As for the 25-year-old man, the measure of coercion of identity and residence was applied to him.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 31st January 2024

35 incidents recorded on four islands in the Azores. 

Bad weather in the Azores caused 35 incidents on four islands on Monday, the majority in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, in São Miguel, Civil Protection said, detailing that the situations included flooding in homes, roads and landslides.

According to a statement from the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), 25 of the incidents were in São Miguel, all in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.

The rest were in Faial (five), Graciosa (four) and Terceira (one).

“The reported situations were related to flooding in homes, flooding on roads and road obstructions”, further detailed the SRPCBA.

Firefighters, the Regional Directorate of Public Works, Forestry Services, Municipal Civil Protection Services, parish councils and the Public Security Police were on the ground.

150 tons of seaweed collected on two beaches in Ponta Delgada 

The municipality of Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, collected 150 tons of algae on the beaches of Milícias and Pópulo, with the aim of “mitigating the concentration” of the species on the municipality’s beaches.

according to the municipality on the Island of São Miguel, the operation took place between January 17th and 23rd, with the support of a tractor, a trailer and a backhoe.

“Despite not posing a danger to human health or affecting water quality, this invasive species, which is abundant between the American coast and the African coast, reproduces easily, especially in deep, rocky and water-rich underwater areas. nutrients”, explains the municipality.

We were aiming to “mitigate the concentration of this species on the municipality’s beaches, the municipality immediately proceeded to clean the affected area”, the Ponta Delgada City Council also states in a press release.

The municipality recalls that the accumulation of seaweed in the coastal area “is a natural and cyclical phenomenon, usually derived from sea currents or meteorological conditions favourable to its development and movement”.

Although this phenomenon “occurs in the Atlantic in pelagic masses, in the Azores they occur in reduced size and quantity”.

Azores reduce tourist overnight stays in December to 120.5 thousand 

The Azores recorded around 120,500 overnight stays in tourist accommodation in December 2023, 5.5% less than in the same period last year, according to estimates from the Regional Statistics Service (SREA)

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 24th January 2024

Road where landslide occurred on Terceira island closed indefinitely 

The road where a landslide occurred on Sunday on the island of Terceira will remain closed until a solution is found to ensure the stability of the slope, the regional director of Public Works has said.

“For now, the information we have been able to provide is that we will keep the road closed for safety reasons. It is still very unstable and a little unsafe”.

On Sunday, at 07:19 local time (08:19 in Lisbon), an earthquake with magnitude 4.5 on the Richter scale was recorded and its epicentre was approximately one kilometre north-northwest (NNW) of the parish of Serreta, on the island Terceira.

According to the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), “shortly after the earthquake, a landslide was recorded on the regional road in the parish of Raminho, which blocked the road”.

The section between Cabo do Raminho and Mata da Serreta was cleared on the same day, but “considering the instability of the slope” it was decided to keep it closed until an assessment was carried out by the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC).

LREC technicians were on site on Monday, and “before the end of this week” the regional directorate of Public Works expects to receive the inspection report.

Only then should the technical options be studied, but “work of some size” would be necessary, which is why the regional director did not provide an “estimated date” for the reopening of the road.

The regional directorate of Public Works will still have to send specialist technicians to the site to better study the problem, but solutions could include placing nets on the slope or creating a support wall on the side of the road.

Pedro Azevedo visited the site today and found that stones continued to fall.

“Technically, the area is very sensitive. It is an area of ​​slopes, which has many rocky strata and there were some fissures. It still can and will be at risk of some heavy elements falling,” he explained.

The regional directorate of Public Works is creating conditions, together with the regional directorate of Forestry Resources, to reestablish a forest path, which is used as an alternative path.

Buses cannot pass this way, so the connection from the west zone to the city of Angra do Heroísmo is made through the interior of the island.

The 4.5 earthquake on the Richter scale, recorded on Sunday, was the largest event since the beginning of the ongoing seismo-volcaeic crisis on the island of Terceira since June 2022.

According to the Azores Seismo-volcaeic Information and Surveillance Centre (CIVISA), the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity VI, on the Modified Mercalli scale, in the western zone of Terceira, having been felt with lesser intensity in the rest of the island and in São Jorge.

Azores with five nominees for the World Travel Awards 

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Octant Furnas, Octant Ponta Delgada, SATA Air Azores and Azores Airlines are nominated for this year’s edition of the Tourism Oscars.

The 31st edition of the World Travel Awards 2024, the Tourism Oscars, named Terra Nostra Garden Hotel as the Best Boutique Hotel in Portugal.

“The art deco restaurant, with dishes inspired by Azorean products, the experience provided to guests in the botanical park and thermal water tank, as well as the atmosphere in perfect harmony with nature are just some of the characteristics that make this unit, the Bensaude Hotels Collection, a reference in global hospitality for the Tourism Oscars”, can be read in a press release.

The Octant Furnas was nominated in the Portugal’s Leading Green Hotel 2024 category, with the Octant Ponta Delgada being positioned in the Portugal’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2024 category.

SATA Group airlines – SATA Air Azores and Azores Airlines – were also nominated for the World Travel Awards 2024 in three important categories worldwide. SATA Air Azores is nominated in the category of Europe’s Leading Regional Airline 2024, while Azores Airlines is among those nominated in the categories of Europe’s Leading Airline to North America 2024. from Europe to North America 2024) and from Europe’s Leading Airline Brand 2024.

“These appointments represent recognition of the work that SATA Group airlines have been developing and reinforce their growth prospects both in terms of routes, demand, connectivity and services offered to passengers, as well as in terms of their own Brand”, declared the Azorean air carrier.

Voting is available online until February 4th and the winners will be revealed during the awards ceremony that will take place in Berlin, Germany, on March 4th.

The World Travel Awards were created in 1993 to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, and are currently recognized as the sector’s mark of excellence.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 10th January 2024

Good morning. A very changeable week as far as the weather is concerned. The start of the month was wet and relatively cool, followed by a few days of colder and dryer weather, then yesterday and today much warmer, and then from later today the expected arrival of the polar air mass which is forecast to bring temperatures as low as minus -7C in some areas of the north. The temperature variation has been pronounced, with temperatures yesterday some 5 – 6C higher than Monday.

Related to this was the social media debate on whether or not the IPMA yellow level snow warning of 2cms of snow at 600/800 metres was justified in the two districts concerned. Meteo Trás os Montes FB group – pointed out that there were no models to justify the issuing of this warning. The ECMWF forecast charts (used by IPMA) did clearly showed snow in Bragança and Vila Real districts, but at depths less than 2 cms and without the above sea level specified.  On checking the IPMA criteria for the issue of snow warnings below 1000 metres, the criteria is 1 – 5 cms in depth. Snow did in fact fall above 1000 metres in several areas in the extreme north east, but not at lower levels.

It is always a difficult to get forecasting spot on as there are so many factors and last minute variables involved. Under estimating immediately invites criticism and could put lives in danger – over estimating runs the risk that citizens do not value warnings when it is really necessary.

On Monday we reported that the Portuguese Environment Agency hopes to present a contingency plan this month for new water consumption rules in the Algarve, which is experiencing the worst drought on record. Speaking to Lusa, APA vice-president José Pimenta Machado admitted that the contingency plan will penalize agriculture more, but the quotas have not yet been defined and will be coordinated with local entities.

He added that this year, in the Algarve, is going through the worst drought ever, with the lowest levels of reservoir reserves ever and the same thing in groundwater”, a “consequence of ten years of drought”. In response the president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), António Miguel Pina, stated that the situation is very worrying. We are close to a catastrophic situation and we have to start saving water seriously”. Safe Communities has regularly pointed out that everyone needs to do more to conserve water. This issue has dragged on for far too long and with the effects of climate change already being felt, and possibly worse to come, immediate action is needed. We await the announcement and details of the water consumption rules.

Also to do with water we learned yesterday that Spain had decided to raise the alert level on the coast of Galicia and Asturias after a “flood” of pellets – micro plastics in the sea. According to information released by the Spanish government, the owner of the boat that on December 8th lost containers of the cargo it was transporting, 80 kilometres from Viana do Castelo, said that more than a thousand bags containing around 26.2 tons of these balls (known as nurdles) with around five millimetres in diameter, used to manufacture plastics and which are now washing up on the coast in northern Spain. The Portuguese authorities are currently closely following the case, which could become problematic.

Nurdles pose a great threat to marine life. These small round plastics usually float on the surface of the water where many species feed. They’re easily mistaken for fish eggs and other foods by a variety of species, including turtles, fish and seabirds.

Lastly with the forecast of very cold conditions over the next two days, we remind everyone of the need to following closely warnings issued by the IPMA and ANEPC which are for everyone’s safety.  After the rain today any sudden change to sub-zero temperature is likely to makes roads as well as pavements treacherous. It is important to help those who maybe be vulnerable especially those with mobility disabilities in such conditions.

Our team wish you a safe week ahead.

 News:

Doctor suspected of selling “falsified” death certificates arrested

The Judicial Police arrested a 65-year-old doctor in Faro on suspicion of selling death certificates without verifying the causes of death to two Algarve funeral homes that were, this Tuesday, the target of searches.

According to information collected by JN, the scheme allowed the quick resolution of funeral ceremonies, in exchange for financial compensation. Between 2021 and 2022, the doctor will have received around 80 euros for each death certificate and the Faro PJ investigation is still investigating the number of falsified certificates that were issued.

The documents were passed remotely, without the doctor going to the place where the dead were, namely in the areas of Faro and Loulé. Thus, the causes of death were never verified.

According to the PJ, the certificates were issued “without the practice of any act that ensures prior effective knowledge of the cause of death, upon receipt of economic compensation and with the aim of preventing the intervention of the judicial authorities or the performance of the autopsy medico-legal”.

In searches of the doctor’s office and residence, as well as the two funeral homes, the PJ seized computers and documentation that will now be analysed.

The doctor, suspected of the crime of corruption, must be taken to the first judicial interrogation this Wednesday, at the Court of Faro.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 10th January 2024

IPMA issues orange warning for Eastern and Central groups of the Azores due to the Hipolito depression 

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed the Eastern and Central groups of the Azores under an orange warning and issued a yellow warning for the entire archipelago due to the formation of the Hipolito depression.

According to a statement from IPMA, the Hipolito depression, with an associated frontal system, will be, at 06:00 on Thursday, “centered around 300 km southwest (SW) of Faial, with pressure at its center 980 hPa”.

“The Hipolito depression is expected to cause a significant increase in wind intensity, with gusts of around 110 km/h in the Central and Eastern Groups, and up to 100 km/h in the Western Group”, says the IPMA.

According to the source, the forecast indicates that the depression will also cause “an increase in maritime agitation, with waves that can reach a significant height of seven meters throughout the archipelago”.

“Associated with this meteorological situation, precipitation is expected to occur, at times heavy, which may be accompanied by thunderstorms”, he adds.

The IPMA states that the influence of this depression “should begin to be felt from the early hours of January 10th (Wednesday) and will continue, at least, until the weekend”.

Due to the approach of a cold frontal surface and the subsequent formation of the Hipolito depression, the IPMA issued an orange warning, due to the wind (southeast direction), for the islands of the Eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria) and Central (Faial, Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge and Terceira) between 5pm on Wednesday and 7am on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the islands of the Eastern group are also under yellow warning for wind (south direction, turning to the southeast) between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.

The same warning will be in force due to maritime unrest (waves from the west, passing south), from 11 am on Wednesday to 8 am on Thursday and due to precipitation “sometimes heavy, which may be accompanied by thunderstorms”, between 8 pm on Wednesday and 11 a.m. Thursday.

On the islands of the Central group, the yellow warning, due to sometimes heavy precipitation, is valid between 11pm on Tuesday and 11pm on Thursday and for wind (direction of the southern quadrant) between 11am and 5pm on Wednesday. fair.

A yellow warning was also issued for the same islands due to sea unrest (waves from the southern quadrant), between 5pm local time on Wednesday and 7am on Thursday.

Finally, the IPMA placed the two islands in the Western group of the Azores (Flores and Corvo) on yellow warning, due to sea agitation (waves from the west, temporarily passing northwest, until 11pm on Tuesday), due to wind (direction of south, rotating southwest, between 11:00 local time and 8:00 pm on Tuesday) and due to sometimes heavy precipitation (between 2:00 pm local time and 8:00 pm on Tuesday).

“Ocean Azores Photographer of the Year” photography competition 

The Ocean Azores Foundation and Azores Getaways will promote the “Ocean Azores Photographer of the Year” photography competition, which will choose the best photograph of the ocean taken in the seas of the Azores.

The winner, who will be announced on February 3rd, will receive a prize worth 2,500 euros and the winning photographs will be displayed in the arrival hall at João Paulo II Airport, in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel.

The competition, with four distinct categories (above water, underwater, marine trash/impact and ocean tourism), is open to all photographers who submit to the organization, by the end of January 24th, photographs taken in the Region Autonomous Region of the Azores.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security report Wednesday 3rd January 2024

Good morning and Happy New Year to you.  Unfortunately it was far from being a time to celebrate in Japan with a major 7.6 Mag earthquake occurring on New Year’s Day that has so far cost the lives of at least 48 people, with many reported missing.

The earthquake resulted in a tsunami, but this was localised and is not known to have resulted in further casualties. Resulting from the earthquake there was a fire that resulted in 200 buildings being destroyed as well as mud slips. Over the next few days and weeks it is likely that the deaths from the last earthquake in Japan will climb as emergency services search                                                       collapsed buildings and infrastructure.

Japan is at very high risk of earthquakes and a great deal has been invested in terms of resilience to reduce the impact. Compare the number of casualties with that of the 7.8 Mag earthquake in Turkey/Syria and the 6.8 Mag earthquake in Morocco last year which resulted in 58,000 deaths and nearly 3000 deaths respectively, countries where building construction codes are not to such a high standard.

However these earthquakes in terms of intensity do not come close to the 2011 Mag 9.1 earthquake and tsunami in Japan which resulted in the death of around 18,500 to 20,000 people. The accompanying tsunami sped quickly across the Pacific and affected the shores of North America (2.7-metres) and some 18 hours after the quake, waves roughly 0.3 metre, reached Antarctica. The 2011 earthquake has been estimated by seismic experts at around 40 times stronger than the current earthquake, so you can only imagine how devastating this was.

Although Portugal is at risk of earthquakes we have been fortunate so far but early warnings of tsunamis are vitally important, as tsunamis can occur a long way off shore.  The above also illustrates the importance of creating resilient communities the reduce the impact of such disasters.

Immediately after the latest earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7.6 was observed in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, information about the actual damage and requests for rescue were posted on X, but misinformation and disinformation also spread. Unsubstantiated posts claiming that this earthquake was caused “artificially” (man-made) are also spreading. Some of the false information has been viewed more than 1 million times using videos unrelated to the earthquake, such as a video of a Japan Meteorological Agency press conference when North Korea conducted a nuclear test in the past.

Immediately after the quake, videos purportedly showing the damage, as well as rescue requests from people claiming to be trapped under collapsed buildings, were posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. NHK has verified that some of the posts contain fake information. Some posts calling for help included non-existent addresses or unrelated videos. Some of the footage showed the tsunami that hit Japan after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. One such post has been viewed more than one million times.

This issue of “misinformation” and “disinformation” was rife during Covid-10 pandemic, and is something to be aware of during major disasters. This applies to Portugal as well as overseas countries.

Japan has had a bad start to the New Year, when yesterday an aircraft carrying nearly 400 passengers collided with a Japan coast guard aircraft with six people on board, during landing at Haneda airport Tokyo, bursting into flames before it came to a stop. A very quick and effective response by the airport emergency teams managed to evacuate all the passengers with just 17 injuries. Those board the coast guard plane were not so fortunate with five dead and the Captain with serious injuries.

Some people may question why we “report on such topics where our primary focus is for those living in Portugal or visiting the country. The reason is clear from the “About Us” section on our Facebook page which states “We provide information and advice for residents in Portugal and visitors to the country, not only of local news, but also any overseas news concerning major incidents on topics within our safety and security remit, which could affect residents travelling to those countries or who may have relatives and friends overseas who could be affected”. I hope that clarifies the position for those in any doubt.

With that our team at Safe Communities Portugal wish you all A Very Happy and Safe New year

News

Earth at maximum speed and closest to the Sun on Wednesday

Wednesday is the day in 2024 when the Earth will be closest to the Sun, the so-called perihelion, which coincides with the planet’s highest orbital speed, reaching 30.3 kilometres per second, according to the North American website EarthSky.

On this date, the Earth will be around 3% closer to the Sun, just over 147 million kilometres, that is, around five million kilometres less than at aphelion, when the distance is greater, at the beginning of July. The average distance is around 150 million kilometres.

The Earth describes an elliptical orbit of 930 kilometres and the orbital speed is lower the greater the distance from the Sun and greater when the distance is smaller.

Thus, the current speed is around one kilometre per second faster than when the planet is further away from the central star of the solar system, says EarthSky.

 

Woman found dead inside a well in Figueira da Foz

A 74-year-old woman was found dead this Tuesday in a well in the town of Ribas, in the municipality of Figueira da Foz, a Civil Protection source told the Lusa agency

“Upon our arrival, the victim was inside the well and we proceeded to extract the victim, which was then assisted by the VMER [Emergency and Reanimation Medical Vehicle], which confirmed the death”, added a source from the Sapadores Firefighters of Figueira da Foz.

According to the same source, the Figueira da Foz Sapadores responded to an alert for a woman who had fallen into a well, not knowing at the time whether she was “alive or not”.

According to a source from the Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of the Coimbra Region, the alert was given at 11.54 am, with a total of 13 operatives on the ground, supported by five vehicles, including Sapadores, Cruz Vermelha, GNR and INEM.

Comment

Although the circumstances of this tragic death are unknown, Safe Communities reminds well owners to make their wells safe by ensuring they are covered in accordance with the law. Unfortunately despite enforcement action taking place in some municipalities many still remain uncovered.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 3rd January 2024

Old locomotive from the port of Ponta Delgada is renovated.

One of the two ‘Brunel broad gauge’ steam locomotives that were used in the construction of the port of Ponta Delgada in the 19th century has been renovated by a local steel company. It has its structural integrity, but not its functionality. In the future it will be on display.  There are two in total, the second one will be renovated soon.

They were purchased in the mid-19th century from the ‘Holyhead Breakwater Company’.  After the breakwater on Anglesey had been constructed.  The ‘Kit’ was then shipped to Ponta Delgada, São Miguel to perform the same function. To carry heavy rocks from the quarry to the new harbour pier construction.

There is an original engine shed with various machines which will be turned into a visitor attraction in the future.  These are the only two broad gauge locomotives left in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Maria wants to reopen the airport at night.

The president of the Municipality of Vila do Porto announced that she intends to strengthen contacts for the reopening of Santa Maria International Airport, at night.

Bárbara Chaves has said that she intends to officiate, once again, the competent entities for this purpose, starting with ANA/VINCI itself, which manages the infrastructure.

She also explained that the strengthening of the position has to do with the last two requests for emergency landings: one from the airline Avianca in November, with around 250 passengers and another from the airline Air Europa in December, with around 355 passengers.

For Bárbara Chaves, these situations reinforce the importance of Santa Maria International Airport as an infrastructure of enormous relevance for back-up support in case of emergency for transatlantic commercial aviation and for supporting ETOPS for airlines. As well as the potential in supporting the operation of technical Business Aviation stopovers, which can be much further explored.

Prices of gasoline and diesel in the Azores drop in January.

The price of gasoline in the Azores dropped 6.9 cents per litre on Monday and the price of diesel dropped 8.7 cents per litre, according to an order published in the Official Journal.