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The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 17th May 2023

by Mike Evans

Good afternoon to you all. With the Fire season in just its second week, there were a total of 38 fires in the Algarve and Lower Alentejo which meant the number of personnel involved was almost 800 firefighters. In addition 341 vehicles were used as well as 4 air support appliances. The Municipality with the most fires was Loule with a total of 7 during the last week. Obviously with the high winds we are seeing in the past few days and the very dry ground it is important for us all to remain vigilant and to report any smoke or flame you may see whilst out and about. If you see a fire RING 112 A false alarm is better than no alarm. My thanks to the Associação Alerta de incêndio Florestal for these stats. Now a look at some of the other news from around the region.

Head of the SEF regional delegation in Albufeira accused of corruption 

Faro’s Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP), brought charges against the head of the regional delegation of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) in Albufeira, and against two foreign men, accusing the SEF employee of two crimes of passive corruption and to each of the foreigners a crime of active corruption, according to a statement released today.

“In June 2018, outside office hours, in his office, the head of the SEF delegation received from the 44-year-old defendant a sum of money to schedule and facilitate the process of obtaining a residence permit for his wife”, details Faro District Attorney’s Office in a statement. In addition to this episode, “in July 2018, in his office and outside the office hours of the SEF delegation, the SEF employee received the amount of 200 euros from the 24-year-old defendant, to schedule his process with priority. residence permit”, continues the note.

According to the authorities, “the monetary amounts handed over were independent of the fees, fines and fees due for the residence permit processes and were pocketed by the defendant for his own benefit”.

The investigation was led by members of the Southern Directorate of the Judiciary Police . 

Suspect Arrested for Attempted Murder and Possession of Prohibited Weapon

The Judiciary Police, through the Portimão DIC, in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by the Public Ministry of Lagos, identified and detained a man for the presumed authorship of a crime of attempted homicide and possession of a prohibited weapon, committed on January 8 , in Lagos, as a result of a reckoning, was communicated today by the PJ .

The detainee acted in material co-authorship together with another individual, already detained on March 29 by the Judiciary Police Portimão DIC.

“After previously agreeing on a place and time, the victims, with the aim of acquiring a narcotic product, went to a secluded place in the Lagos area”, describes the PJ in a statement. Already at the scene, one of the detainees, “armed with a shotgun, fired a shot into the interior of the vehicle where those were circulating, hitting one of them in the torso, arm and face, not causing his death by mere chance”, continues the note. Although seriously injured, the PJ reports that “the victim managed to leave the scene quickly at the wheel of the vehicle, heading to a hospital unit where he was assisted”.

The 41-year-old detainee, bartender, will be present at the first judicial interrogation for the application of coercive measures deemed appropriate. The Inquiry is conducted by the Lagos Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Eleven People Arrested Over the Weekend In Albufeira

Eleven people were detained during a set of policing and crime -fighting actions carried out by the National Republican Guard (GNR) over the weekend in Albufeira , announced the security force.

The arrests of people aged between 22 and 60 were carried out by the Territorial Command of Faro, through the Territorial Detachment of Albufeira.

After inspections at various locations in the municipality, six people were arrested for drug trafficking, four for driving under the influence of alcohol and one for driving without a legal license.150 doses of cocaine, 31 pills of ecstasy, 12 doses of marijuana, 115 euros in cash and a bottle of nitrous oxide were also seized.

An inspection operation was also carried out at establishments selling miscellaneous items, which resulted in the seizure of 13 prohibited weapons known as “karambit” knives, with a 29-year-old man being accused.

The GNR military also complied with a house search warrant that resulted in the seizure of new compressed air weapons and an alarm revolver, with a 69-year-old man being accused.

The facts were communicated to the Judicial Court of Albufeira.

Two Arrested for Stealing a Boat in Cabanas de Tavira

Two men were arrested on Saturday morning, May 13, for allegedly stealing a maritime-tourist vessel in Ribeira do Almargem , in Cabanas de Tavira , announced the National Maritime Authority.

The alert was given by a member of the public who was in the vicinity, and elements of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Tavira were immediately activated, who, when they arrived in the area, saw the crew fleeing.

The fugitives managed to get out of the vessel, having been requested to support elements of the National Republican Guard of Tavira, who intercepted and detained them.The two men were constituted defendants and notified to appear in court.

The Tavira Maritime Police Local Command took care of the occurrence.

Installation of 42 Surveillance Cameras To Reinforce Security at Vilamoura Marina

The Câmara de Loulé will install 42 surveillance cameras in Vilamoura Marina and accesses to increase the security of thousands of people walking in the area, especially in summer.

“The installation of this electronic surveillance device, respecting the legal framework, will be an auxiliary means to increase the perception of safety throughout the Vilamoura Marina area and surrounding area”, said the mayor, Vítor Aleixo.

On May 13, in Quarteira, the Loulé Council signed a protocol with the GNR that provides for “the implementation, activation and management of the video surveillance system” in these public places, within the scope of the first phase of a public tender that foresees an investment of 900 thousand euros.

Vítor Aleixo assured that Vilamoura Marina “is not a risk zone” and insisted that the cameras installed in the public space will “increase the feeling and perception of safety on the part of thousands of people who, during the summer in the zone”. The mayor defended that video surveillance will “complement” the human presence of the GNR military, which would be the “ideal” solution and with an “irreplaceable value”.

According to Vítor Aleixo, in a second phase of this project, the video surveillance system will be extended to the riverside area of ​​the city of Quarteira. The signing of the protocol between the municipality and the GNR was carried out as part of the celebrations, which took place on the 13th, Quarteira day, with, among other events, also inaugurating the Sociocultural Building, which will host training actions and protocols with various local entities and association.

American Woman Falls While Climbing Along Coast near Vila Do Bispo

On the afternoon of Sunday, May 14, the crew of the Sagres Lifesaving Station rescued a 38-year-old American woman who had fallen while climbing with a group of friends, between Praia do Beliche and Ponta of Cabo de São Vicente, in the municipality of Vila do Bispo .

Following an alert received around 4 pm, via the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Lisboa), crew members from the Sagres Lifeguard Station and members of the Maritime Police Local Command went to the location. from Lagos.

Upon arrival at the scene, the crew of the Salva-Vidas Station found that the victim, a 38-year-old woman of US nationality, was in a difficult-to-access location and had rescued her using a boat. At Porto da Baleeira, there was already an ambulance from INEM, which later transported the victim to a hospital unit.

Four Men Arrested for Copper Theft in Silves

Four men aged between 20 and 39 were arrested on Tuesday, May 9, for theft of copper in the municipality of Silves , announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

The arrest was made by the Faro Territorial Command , through the Silves and Faro Criminal Investigation Nucleus, as part of an investigation. After several police investigations, it was possible to determine the identity of the four suspects who stole about four tons of copper and various materials from the interior of residences. After carrying out two searches, one at home and another in a vehicle, 301 kilos of copper, a vehicle, and various tools used in the thefts were seized.

The detainees were present at the Judicial Court of Portimão, for the application of coercive measures. This action was reinforced by the Faro Intervention and Criminal Investigation Detachment.

And Finally a Plea for Help:-

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Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 10th May 2023

Good morning – There has been much attention recently on the drought situation both in Portugal but in particular, in Spain, but also in France as well

The French Pyrénées – Orientales department, which borders Spain’s Catalonia autonomous region, will be officially declared to be at drought “crisis” level from 10 May 2023, when bans on car-washing, garden-watering, and pool-filling will also come into effect. This first set of water restrictions is an effort to conserve water resources and prioritises drinking water above other usages.

There are currently over 40 “départements” in France, amounting to nearly half the country, which are officially at “alert” or “vigilance” levels of drought. The Pyrénées-Orientales will become the fourth district to declare a “crisis” drought level.

Turning to Portugal, in particular the Algarve my colleague Mike Evans has written an excellent report for today on the drought situation drawn from various sources of information and what is being done to address this issue. He compares various areas of the Algarve and in particular the serious situation facing farmers in the east. Please read the Algarve Report today – thank you Mike

This is mirrored in a feature by Antonia Vignolo a consultant in disaster management and climate change adaption, in a feature for the Algarve Resident out tomorrow, in which she states that there are different measures that governments can take in order to mitigate the impacts of droughts.

Public awareness sessions about water scarcity and conservation can prompt individuals to adopt water saving practices. Recycling and reusing wastewater can help to conserve water resources and reduce the demand for freshwater during droughts. Developing water storage facilities such as dams, reservoirs, and aquifer storage and recovery systems can help to store water during wet periods and supply it during droughts.

Other practices include implementing measures to reduce water demand such as promoting water-efficient technologies, developing drought-tolerant crops, and reducing water-intensive activities. And Adopting land management practices such as reforestation, soil conservation, and reducing soil erosion. Thank you Antonia.

So as you can see this is an issue which is at the top of our minds on our team at Safe Communities, as there are bound to be an increasingly severe impact as droughts intensify – as they will. If you are purchasing property in rural areas we recommend that you do as much research as possible on water supply, as boreholes in some areas are running dry, with owners therefore having reply on water delivery to their homes.

Another impact apart from drought, is that high temperatures and lack of rainfall are related to rural fires. On 18th to 20th May Safe Communities Portugal will have a stand at the ALGARSAFE’23 Portimão International Civil Protection and Relief Fair at the Portimão Arena and the Fairs and Exhibitions Park. Thus is initiative co-organized by the Portimão City Council and the Bombeiros de Portimão, with the support from the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC). With over 70 exhibitors there will be much to see and learn for the whole family.

On Saturday 20th May from 12.00 to 13:00 hrs there will be group presentation with questions and answers on “Disaster Risk Communication for Foreign Communities” facilitated by Safe Communities Portugal. This session will be delivered in English, involving the different players in risk communication and interpretation of warning and alert systems, with the participation of: Republican National Guard, Institute of Nature Conservation and Forestry, National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority and the Municipality of Civil Protection of Portimão.

This is for the foreign community and the presentations will be English There will be much to learn from this as by understanding what, when, and where a disaster might happen, how severe it could be, and who would be most affected. If we don’t understand risk, we can’t manage it. So we ask you to attend.

Registration at the ALGARSAFE’23 secretariat (desk) on the day or by email: eventos@ahbvp.pt. Free registration, limited to the number of places available.

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

News

Average Speed Cameras

The new average speed cameras that are planned to be introduced are already being tested in 14 locations. There is still no date for entry into operation. Know where they are and how they will work.

How Average Speed cameras work

The average speed cameras are different from the equipment that is already found in various parts of the national road network and that are also used by the police authorities, namely the PSP and the GNR. There are two devices that are placed at the beginning and end of a section with a high accident rate. The first equipment, equipped with a camera, photographs the license plate and the exact time of passage of the vehicle and the second registers, again, the time and the license plate. These radars then calculate the average speed between the two points to understand whether or not the driver complied with the legal speed limits on the section in question.

Where are they being tested?

Portugal acquired 10 medium speed cameras that will monitor, on a rotating basis, 20 locations with high accident rates. At the moment, the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) is testing them in 14 locations covering national roads, motorways and complementary itineraries, namely on the IC1, in Beja; on the A1 and EN109, in Coimbra; on the A6 and IP2, in Évora; on the EN10, on the EN6-7 and on the IC19, in Lisbon; on the A3, in Porto; on the A1, in Santarém; and on the EN10, EN378, EN4 and IC1, in Setúbal.

What is the difference between a fixed camera and an average speed camera?

Both speed cameras have a deterrent effect and generally force most drivers to reduce speed. Fixed radar works best on a black spot (ie a specific location on a road where serious accidents systematically occur, exacerbated by excessive speed). The average speed radar, on the other hand, is more suitable for roads, where there are sections of a few kilometres with high levels of accidents, and can monitor several lanes.

ANSR’s ambition (supported by experience with this equipment abroad) is for drivers to reduce the speed of movement on these sections and, with that, a decrease in the number of accidents. Traffic speed is one of the main causes of road accidents, in particular accidents with serious injuries and fatalities.

Will the speed cameras be placed at the same distance on all roads?

No. The distance of the installation of the radars and, consequently, the area controlled by the authorities, will depend on the characteristics of each section. Although, on average, these devices cover areas of up to 10 kilometres, they will not stay that far on all roads.

Everything will depend on the specific conditions of the portion of the road to be inspected. According to ANSR, there will be sections that will be between three and four kilometres apart.

Will drivers be warned of the existence of speed cameras?

Yes. In addition to the on-site signage (a traffic sign, H42, was created in 2022), the location and date of entry into operation of the radars will also be published on the ANSR website. There is still no date for the start of operation of the equipment.

Citius computer system that serves the courts collapses

The alert was given by the Union of Judicial Employees, which ensures that the system has collapsed across the country as a result of updates that could last until the end of the week. The Ministry of Justice guarantees that it was “a momentary unavailability, for a period of less than 20 minutes” and that the situation is already normalized.

The Union of Judicial Employees (SFJ) warned this Tuesday that the Citrus computer system “collapsed” across the country, as a result of updates that could last until the end of the week, related to the electronic drawing of processes.

António Marçal, president of the SFJ, told the Lusa agency that he had information that these updates relate to the entry into force this week of the new regime for the electronic drawing of cases in the courts.

The Ministry of Justice reacted, however, to this complaint, guaranteeing that it was “a momentary unavailability, for a period of less than 20 minutes (between 2:05 pm and 2:23 pm), in accessing computer services and telephone numbers of Justice, due to a problem in an equipment”.

“Contrary to what was conveyed through some media, this interruption is not related to the development work to make available the new model for electronic distribution of processes. The normal operation of all systems has already been re-established, after updating the said equipment”, underlined the cabinet of Minister Catarina Sarmento e Castro.

The SFJ pointed out that the problem arises at a time when there are already several other delays in the courts, namely because of the strikes that judicial officials have carried out.

He exemplified with the case of the Court of Seixal, where there are processes for distribution since January 2023, while in the Public Ministry of Seixal the processes to register and distribute are about 2,000, papers to register about 1,500, emails to handle more than 600.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 10th May 2023

Azores break record for passengers disembarking at airports in April

Passengers disembarking at Azores airports in April recorded a new record that month, totalling 176,760, a higher figure than that recorded in 2019, prior to the covid-19 pandemic, according to data revealed by the Regional Statistics Service (SREA).

Compared to the same month in 2019, a period prior to the covid-19 pandemic and in which the Azores had broken a record of arrivals in April, with 147,252 passengers, there was a 20% increase.

According to SREA, all the islands of the Azores showed a “positive year-on-year change in passenger arrivals” in April, with the most accentuated ones in São Jorge (37.1%), São Miguel (28.2%) and Faial (26 .6%).

More than half of the passengers, 105,808 (59.9%), disembarked on the island of São Miguel, the largest in the archipelago.

It was among passengers coming from international flights that there was the biggest increase compared to the same period last year (65.7%), with 18,402 people disembarking at airports in the region in April.

The largest number of passengers disembarking in that month came from the Portuguese mainland or Madeira (86,298), a typology that recorded a year-on-year increase of 23.1%.

As for passengers on inter-island flights (72,060), they registered a growth of 17.7%.

According to SREA, the number of passengers boarded at Azorean airports also increased in April, to a total of 173,925 passengers, 24.3% more than in the same period last year.

Regarding the type of flight, there was “a positive year-on-year variation of 22.7% of passengers boarded on inter-island flights, 19.7% on territorial flights and 66.3% on international flights”.

Festivities of Santo Cristo begin this Tuesday with a preparatory triduum

The biggest religious festivals in the Azores, in honour of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, return in a pre-pandemic format.

After the pandemic, the Festivities of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres resume today, in their normal format, with the preparatory triduum, with two novelties to be noted.

According to Sítio Igreja Açores, the departure of the image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres to the Church of São José immediately follows the sermon that will end the Procession of Changing the Image, together with a midnight Eucharist that will be presided over by the bishop of Angra, especially dedicated to Youth, are the two main innovations in the program of the feast of the Lord that starts today, with the preparatory triduum.

The spiritual preparation for the feast, held at the Igreja do Senhor Santo Cristo, for three days at 6 pm, will be preached by Father José Júlio Rocha, moralist theologian, assistant to the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace and member of the College of Consultants.

Cited by the Azores Church, in a press release, the rector of the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, Adriano Borges, shows that, “during the pandemic, and after so many constraints, we tried to bring people closer to the image and changed some aspects of the format and the party program. This year, when everything returns to normal, when the pandemic is over and there are no more constraints, we have also returned to what was usual before, in essence”.

Tomorrow, after the triduum mass, there will be the launch of Armando Moreira’s book on Mother Teresa da Anunciada, whose film opens at 9 pm at Teatro Micaelense the following day.

On Friday, mass takes place in the Sanctuary at 8:00 am and 9:00 am. In addition, there will be a mass at 11:00 that will take place in the Church of São José, dedicated to the sick, with the sacrament of the holy anointing.

On Saturday there will be a special mass for the Brotherhood, inside the chapel of the Convent. Then, at 4:20 pm, the Procession of Change takes place, when the provider will ring the ‘Porta Rule’ so that the sisters can deliver the image that will remain in the custody of the brotherhood until the end of the Sunday procession.

This is followed by a solemn Te Deum by the choir of Santa Catarina da Horta, conducted by the Horta ombudsman, Father Marco Luciano Carvalho.

There will also be a sermon at the end and then the image will immediately go to São José, where at 7.30 pm a Eucharist will be celebrated for young people. The image will remain in the Church throughout the night, returning to the Shrine’s courtyard on Sunday for an open-air mass.

On Sunday, the outdoor mass will be at 9:30 am, broadcast by RTP Açores and RTP Internacional. Then, at 3 pm, the solemn procession will leave through the streets of Ponta Delgada, a four-hour tour that will end with the collection of the image to the lower choir of the Convent.

 

The Algarve Report Wednesday 10th May 2023

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and with the very hot weather here in the region continuing there is now a lot of concern about the amount of water the region around Alcoutim is consuming with one report showing that they are now using the water that they would usually use in the summer. It does beg the question: what will we do in the summer?

The drought is already visible in the fields of the northeast Algarve and is threatening water and food reserves that agricultural and livestock activities should consume in the summer, warned the mayor of Alcoutim.

Osvaldo Gonçalves was referring to the situation in that area of ​​the Algarve and foresees great difficulties for the rest of the year, since water reserves that should only be consumed during the dry season, in summer, are already being used.

“We are advancing the consumption of these reserves and, perhaps, jeopardising some of these reserves for the future, which will deplete, both in terms of aquifers, and in terms of animal feed, permanent meadows and spontaneous vegetation, which at the moment it is dry”, warned the mayor. The mayor of Alcoutim was “painting” a picture of the drought in the municipality of the district of Faro, where the effects of the lack of rain and water are already visible, because “the field is completely dry” and “there is no moisture in the soil”, a identical situation as if the month of June had already arrived.

“I have some fruit trees in my backyard and this year I don’t have any fruit, because the heat itself – and I associate this with the heat at flower height – killed everything”, he exemplified, stressing that he has no scientific data to support this evaluation, based on “what is in everyone’s eyes”.

Osvaldo Gonçalves observed that, in Alcoutim, there is not a great deal of pressure in terms of irrigated agriculture or intensive herds, especially cattle, which consume the most water, and noted that, even in sheep and goats, the pressure is not very relevant, because “unfortunately there have been many more herds than there are at the moment”.

Livestock producers and farmers who still exist in the municipality are already facing difficulties caused by the lack of rain and the drought, which is considered severe in some areas of the eastern Algarve, warned the mayor.

“These people are starting to feel a concern at this moment in relation to what is the present, which are the permanent meadows that should be maintained until, at least, until the end of the month and which, in the meantime, are already becoming completely deteriorated”, justified.

The fodder that was sown was born, but did not progress, the seeds only grew and everything that was planted to ensure subsistence in the coming months “did not mature, nor did it spike”, he added. The same source underlined that the herds are probably already being fed using hay and straw, when they should only be consuming pasture, a reality that obliges livestock farmers to pay additional expenses to meet the needs of the animals.

Meanwhile some of  the Algarve golf courses want connection to WWTP to reduce water consumption.Those responsible for the two largest groups with golf courses in the south of the country stress that they have already taken measures to reduce consumption, but that they still need to start receiving more water from the Wastewater Treatment Stations (WWTP).

The east side of the Algarve is in a situation of severe drought, but the west side also suffers from the worsening lack of rain and water scarcity, which has led the authorities to look for measures that minimise the effects of the drought without harming the main sector of the region, tourism.

“Invest as quickly as possible. We have been talking about investing for two years, but very few concrete steps have been taken on the ground”, said Grupo Pestana administrator for the Algarve, Pedro Lopes.

The official lamented the existence of a series of investments that have been planned for several years and that continue without leaving the drawing board, such as those foreseen in the construction of a desalination plant, in the water networks, in the sewers for the WWTP or in the leaks of the network, among others.

The administrator of the group that owns five of the approximately 40 courses in the Algarve ensures that, in recent years, the reduction in the water used in the irrigation of the five golf courses is of “one third to 40%”, having taken a series of measures , such as using new grass varieties that require less water. The director of Grupo Pestana assured that they are using “a lot less water” than three years ago, insisting that now “it is essential” to connect the golf courses to the WWTP.

Pedro Lopes has no doubt that “the water [from the WWTP] that is wasted today, going into rivers and the sea, can be used on golf courses precisely in the summer, which is when they need it most”.

The director of Grupo Pestana underlined that the 40 golf courses in the south of the country “are always on the lookout for new technologies and ways to save water. Not only because of its cost, but also because it is a very scarce resource”, he underlined.

“There are already three [fields] connected [to WWTP] in the Algarve, but many more have to do this”, underlined Pedro Lopes, insisting on the lack of these stations to provide wastewater. The Pestana Group will start next summer using WWTP water on two of its golf courses in the Algarve, at a time when there are more tourists in the region and the treatment plants are producing more.

While this may be a good solution to the water shortage it should be noted that Golf courses use 5 to 6% of the Algarve water, with 60 to 65% by agriculture, approximately 25% by urban consumption and around 5% by small industries.The full WWTP scheme will not come until 2025.

Now a look at some of the other news from around the region,

18 year old Man found Dead in VRSA

An 18-year-old young man of Ukrainian nationality was found dead on the morning of this Friday, May 5, in Vila Real de Santo António , the Public Security Police ( PSP ) told JA .

The body was found in the attic of the building where he resided, near the Municipal Market of Vila Real de Santo António, after being missing since 11:00 pm on Thursday, May 4, the family having asked the PSP for help, which carried out overnight searches.

Around 07:00 this Friday, the body was found, which was later transported to the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, in Faro, for an autopsy to be carried out, although any evidence of a crime was ruled out.

Three arrested for drug trafficking in Castro Marim

Two men and a woman were arrested on Tuesday, May 2, for drug trafficking in the municipality of Castro Marim , announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

The arrest of the suspects, aged between 50 and 61, was carried out by the Faro Territorial Command , through the Tavira Criminal Investigation Nucleus, after an investigation that had been going on for three years.

The suspects were dedicated to selling narcotics directly to consumers in the municipality of Castro Marim, causing social alarm, uneasiness and a feeling of insecurity in the population.After 13 search warrants, three in homes and 10 in vehicles, 46 doses of marijuana, 93 doses of cocaine, 47 doses of heroin, four precision scales, a shotgun, a machete, a sabre concealed in a cane, a starter gun, three airsoft pistols, six compressed air guns, two vehicles, ammunition of different calibres, material suspected to be from theft and 1882 euros in cash.

Two light vehicles that had been stolen in the municipalities of Tavira and Olhão were also recovered.

This police operation was reinforced by the Faro Intervention Detachment, the Intervention and Special Operations Group, the Intervention and Public Order Group and the collaboration of the Foreigners and Borders Service, Tax Authority, Castro Marim City Council, Social Security and of health.

The detainees were present at the Judicial Court of Faro, for the application of coercive measures.

Boat stranded on the Guadiana had five tons of hashish

The speedboat that was stranded today on a sandbar at the mouth of the Guadiana river , near Vila Real de Santo António , had five tons of narcotics on board, announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

During a surveillance action at the national maritime border, the military detected the suspicious high-speed vessel entering the mouth of the Guadiana river and began tracking and permanently monitoring it.

While police investigations were carried out by the Coastal Control Sub-detachment of Vila Real de Santo António, the immobilised vessel was detected on that sandbar between Portugal and Isla Canela, in Spain. The vessel, 12 metres long and with four high-powered engines, had 136 bales of hashish and the suspects managed to escape, and it has not been possible to locate them so far.

The facts were communicated to the Judicial Court of Vila Real de Santo António and to the Judiciary Police. As the captain of the port of Vila Real de Santo António, Afonso Martins, told JA, the vessel was also seen by the Maritime Police during the morning, and the Spanish authorities were contacted.

A similar situation occurred in this exact location about two months ago.

25-year-old man dies in motorcycle crash in Vilamoura

A 25-year-old man died on Wednesday, May 3, after the motorcycle he was riding in Vilamoura , in the municipality of Loulé, said a source from the Algarve Sub-regional Command. The alert for the accident was given at 19:45, for a motorcycle skidding.

According to the same source, death was declared on the spot by the doctor from the Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER).Elements from Loulé Firefighters, Albufeira Firefighters and INEM were on site, with a total of 14 operators supported by six vehicles.

The GNR was also at the scene and is investigating the causes of the accident.

One dead in collision with heavy vehicle on IC1 in Messines

One person died today following a collision with a heavy vehicle on the Complementary Route 1 (IC1), in the Corte Pereiro area, in Messines, said a source from the sub-regional command of the Algarve.

According to the same source, the accident, which occurred at 10:26 am and involved a heavy vehicle and a light vehicle, whose driver is the fatal victim, forced traffic to be cut in both directions, next to Corte Pereiro, in the district of Faro . .

By 12:30 pm, 23 firefighters, the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM), GNR and Infraestruturas de Portugal were still on site, supported by 11 vehicles. The truck driver was assisted on site by the rescue team, but did not need to be transported to any health unit.

Authorities are now investigating the causes of the accident.

GNR detained 18 people during inspection

The National Republican Guard (GNR) detained 18 people aged between 16 and 54 in the municipality of Albufeira during policing and combating crime, announced the security force.

Nine people were arrested for drug trafficking, four for driving under the influence of alcohol , two for illicit image recording and one for driving without a legal licence.

During the inspection, 353 doses of cocaine, 106 doses of hashish, 21 grams of ecstasy, 18 doses of cannabis, 1545 euros in cash, 60 pounds, seven mobile phones, a knife, three Of the 18 detainees, five of them remained at the GNR premises and were presented at the Judicial Court of Albufeira, one of them having been decreed the coercive measure of pre-trial detention for drug trafficking and sent to the Silves Prison.identification documents and a high-capacity vehicle were seized during the inspection.

Have a good week. Until the next time.

 

The Azores Situation Report Wednesday 3rd May 2023

Atlânticoline management wants to bet on the decarbonization of ships.

The nominee chairman of the board of directors of Atlânticoline, Francisco Bettencourt, pointed to the decarbonization of maritime passenger transport in the Azores as the company’s big bet in the future.

“Decarbonization is the future, it is our big bet”, said the administrator of the public company for maritime transport of passengers and vehicles in the archipelago, who was heard today at the Economy commission of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, meeting in Angra do Heroísmo, following his nomination for chairman of the board of directors.

Francisco Bettencourt was referring to the “innovative bet” already announced in April by the regional secretary of Finance, Duarte Freitas, to order the construction of two electric ships to operate in the Triangle islands (Faial, Pico and São Jorge), to replace the current vessels, diesel powered.

Atlânticoline’s administrator, who has been a member of the Board of Directors for the last 12 months, and who is now proposed by the Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) for president of the company, recalled that fuel expenses currently represent quite high costs in the company’s structure.

As he explained, the public tender that the region intends to launch for the construction of future electric vessels should be ready in September or October, although there are still some doubts about how the batteries of the ships will be charged, especially in the ports of the island of Pico, where the scales for boarding and disembarking passengers and vehicles take only 15 minutes, as a rule.

Francisco Bettencourt expressed, on the other hand, satisfaction with the fact that the shipyards of Madalena do Pico, currently managed by Tecnovia, are being prepared to dock the Atlânticoline ships, so that they do not have to go to Lisbon for maintenance or certification.

The company’s administrator also highlighted the “good operating results” recorded in recent years, which made it possible to settle Atlânticoline’s debts and balance its treasury.

Pre-trial detention for two suspects of several thefts in São Miguel

Two men were held in pre-trial detention for being suspected of various crimes of theft on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, including theft of goods vehicles allegedly used in robberies, revealed the PSP.

According to the Regional Command of the Azores of the PSP, in addition to those two men, the police detained, on the 26th of April, a third suspect, who was left with “the measure of coercion of mandatory periodical presentations before the authorities”.

The PSP adds, in a press release, that the three men are 43, 42 and 29 years old, two of them with “criminal records”.

The arrests took place following several investigations “into various thefts of light goods vehicles” that have taken place on the island of São Miguel and which “have been widely referenced on social networks and through the media in the region”, explains the PSP.

In this specific case, the vehicles are stolen using “false keys” and the vehicles are later abandoned “in isolated places”, after having been “used to break into commercial establishments”, through “the rear of the vehicles hitting the doors” of the stores.

Also, according to the police, the suspects were transporting “tobacco vending machines” in their vehicles that they allegedly stole from inside establishments.

PSP investigations and the collection of evidence at the sites reveal that “the defendants are potential suspects of having been acting in collusion in several robberies of this type on the island of S. Miguel”, adds the police.

The PSP refers that the three men are suspected “of at least five crimes of aggravated theft, a crime of simple theft and several crimes of theft of vehicle use”.

But the police admit that the detainees may be associated with other similar robberies, under investigation, and that there may be more arrests of other defendants “related to the theft of vans on the island of São Miguel”.

Azores have 44 beaches and six Blue Flag marinas.

The 44 beaches awarded with the Blue Flag in the Azores archipelago are spread over ten different municipalities.

The Azores archipelago has 44 beaches this year – two more than in 2022 – and six marinas distinguished with the blue flag, spread over 10 municipalities of the archipelago, as announced yesterday by the Blue Flag Association of Europe.

Among the beaches distinguished with this symbol of environmental quality, there is a new bathing area, namely Calhetas da Maia, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and there are also records of two re-entries, one at Piscina do Carapacho and one at Praia, both located in Santa Cruz da Graciosa. There is also an exit, namely Prainha, located in Angra do Heroísmo.

It is on the island of São Miguel that most of the award-winning beaches are found, with the attribution of 19 blue flags of this nature.

In the municipality of Ribeira Grande, there are five distinguished bathing areas, namely Areal de Santa Bárbara, Poças da Ribeira Grande, Calhetas, Moinhos and Calhetas da Maia, as well as in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, where there is a blue flag in Forno da Cal, Milícias, Pópulo, Poços de São Vicente Ferreira and Poças Sul dos Mosteiros.
In Lagoa, there are three distinguished bathing areas, namely Caloura, Baixa da Areia and Zona Balnear da Lagoa, followed by Vila Franca do Campo, also with three distinguished bathing areas, Água d’Alto, Prainha de Água d’Alto and Vinha of Areia, respectively.

Also, in Povoação there are three awarded beaches this year, namely Portinho do Faial da Terra, Praia do Fogo and Morro.

The information provided also makes it known that on the island of Terceira there are 13 beaches distinguished with this flag, seven of which are in the municipality of Praia da Vitória and six in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, and on the island of Faial there are four awarded beaches.

As for the island of Graciosa, it now has four zones with the blue flag, the same as the island of Santa Maria.

With regard to the six Azorean marinas distinguished with the blue flag, the information states that these concern Marina da Horta, Marina da Praia da Vitória, Marina de Ponta Delgada, Marina de Vila do Porto, Núcleo de Recreio Náutico das Lajes do Pico and Sailing Nautical Recreation Nucleus.

In addition, three Ecotourism vessels also received the blue flag in the Azores, namely Terra Azul, Terra Azul I and Terra Azul III, all based in Vila Franca do Campo.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 3rd May 2023

Good morning – Yesterday the President of the IPMA, Miguel Miranda, forecast in the coming months the continuation of high temperatures, absence of precipitation and very high fire danger. He added that the objective is not to be alarmist, but realistic and to act preventively.

Since February we have had little precipitation. The probability of precipitation from here until the summer is low and, therefore, we will have tension in many areas, in the environment, in supply, in dams, resulting in fires. Miguel Miranda stressed that the risk of fire will have high levels, highlighting that everyone has to prepare for the summer and balance the economy with the lives of citizens.

He added that February was a hot and dry month and April was marked by three heat waves, with 89% of the territory in a drought situation, with 34% in severe and extreme drought (South Region).

The Minister of Internal Administration, José Luís Carneiro, told journalists that the Government has been raising awareness among institutions and municipalities to have fire defence plans prepared, but also people with regard to cleaning the land.

“People should go to city councils, municipal civil protection services, they should go to fire departments and try to maintain cleaning work (…) always accompanied by municipal civil protection teams or firefighters in order to who can do it while safeguarding their lives and assets”, said José Luís Carneiro.

It is extremely important that land cleaning continues and people are encouraged to approach councils and seek assistance when needed. Undertaking extensive land cleaning alone in increasing hot temperatures can pose risks in itself, both the risk to health, accidents and causing fires if ill prepared to undertake the burning of debris. It is better to get assistance rather than take risks.

We also ask our readers to familiarize yourselves of actions to take should a rural fire break out in your area which develops to a stage which it could affect your property. It is important to have a plan of action to take and also in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. It is also essential that all family members are involved in the plan. If you have animals it is important that these are taken into account.

As we move into the summer, we strongly advise everyone, especially those living in rural areas to study the daily fire risk, to determine the risk not only in the area where you living, but also you maybe be visiting. This is posted daily on this page. As we have previously stressed the potential intensity of fires is important, as well as understanding how fires develop and spread.

There has been some great work undertaken by the security forces in the recent seizures of several large quantities of drugs en-route to Portugal as a landing point; the eventual destination being mainly northern Europe. The latest is by the Judicial Police through the National Unit to Combat Narcotics Trafficking, of around 4.2 tonnes of cocaine originating in Latin America. The drugs in question, which has a high degree of purity, was transported to Portugal by sea concealed in a shipment of fruit on pallets, more specifically bananas, which entered national territory through the Port of Setúbal.

This seizure is the result of the intense activity of gathering information carried out by the Judiciary Police, in close articulation with the authorities of other countries and with various national entities. Such drugs have considerable value, but more importantly is the damage to health and often death such drug abuse brings. This year is likely to be one of the highest in terms of drug seizures by Portugal, most being hashish and cocaine.

Our team at Safe Communities wish you an enjoyable and safe week ahead.

News

89% of the territory is in drought and a hot May is coming

The forecasts advanced by the IPMA at the meeting that also included the presidents of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests point to a “month of May that is hotter than normal and without rain”. After months with below normal precipitation values ​​and above normal temperatures.

With April being among the five hottest since there are records, with three heat waves and temperatures above 30. º. In terms of fire risk, April was “the most severe since 2003 and by a wide margin”. In addition, explains the IPMA in a statement that the accumulated burned area in 2023 “is above the average of the last 16 years, both in Portugal and in Austria, Ireland or Spain”.

Factors that, combined, increase the risk of fire, with the Minister of Internal Administration revealing that “ANEPC determined the constitution of 40 teams; more than 200 elements that are prepositioned in the territory to mobilize”. Reinforcing, quoted by Lusa, the importance and urgency of land clearing.

Looking at the meteorological drought, it has already spread to 89% of the territory, with 34% referring to the most serious classes (severe and extreme), affecting the Alentejo and the Algarve. On the other hand, “the percentage of water in the soil is almost zero in several areas of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, in the centre and south of the Continent”.

“The probability of precipitation from here until the summer is low and, therefore, we will have tension in many areas, in the environment, in supply, in dams, in fires”, he said, quoted by Lusa, the president of IPMA. The Minister for the Environment reaffirmed that “measures could be taken from a contingency point of view” given the lack of supply capacity in some areas of the country.

Mosquitos in Portugal are “Under control”

We have entered mosquito season. From May to October, technicians working in the REVIVE surveillance program have their hands full. It is necessary to know the species that enter the country and where they live. In recent years, Aedes albopictus, the vector of the Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses, has been a major concern, but has so far been controlled. “It is unlikely that there will be outbreaks for the time being”, says an INSA researcher speaking to DN.

In the biologist’s lists, there are at least 100 invasive species in the world, but there is only one mosquito, Aedes albopictus. And it is this that is now cause for concern. However, in Portugal, 40 species of mosquitoes have already been identified. Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger mosquito) is of Asian origin, originating in Japan, and a vector for Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses. The researcher at the Department of Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and coordinator of the National Vector Surveillance Network (REVIVE), Maria João Alves, says that, for now, “what has been found in the country makes us believe that the species is under control and that there is a very low probability of having autochthonous cases and outbreaks”.

However, she points out: “We cannot say that there is no possibility of outbreaks, because Aedes albopictus is a vector, and things can change at any moment, but in the surveillance that we have been carrying out in this area for over 15 years, we have never found infected mosquitoes and for these to be able to infect people, there would have to be a combination of factors, such as greatly increasing their abundance and having a person infected with Dengue, coming from a tropical area, who would settle precisely in a region of Portugal where this mosquito exists, to be able to infect mosquitoes that are not infected”.

But this alone is not enough. That is, even if there is an abundance of mosquitoes and weather conditions are favourable for transmitting the virus to the mosquito, which would happen due to the fact that it “feeds” on human blood, the infection would only take place if the person settled in that region within the first five days as a carrier of the virus, which means that the risk of having autochthonous cases of Dengue, Zika or Chikungunya, in other places outside their natural habitat, is very low.

However, what we want is to keep the number of specimens as low as possible so that there is no possibility of transmission of infectious agents”. She stressed, being bitten by a mosquito does not mean one contracts any of the diseases (dengue, zika, chikungunya) that this species carries.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 3rd May 2023

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and welcome to the latest Algarve Report. The 8th of May is designated as Road Safety Day and one of the topics to be discussed at a seminar in Albufeira is the rise of E-Scooters. The rise in numbers of these vehicles across the world and especially in Europe have caused many countries to make new laws to try and curb their use. In Finland more people are injured on e-scooters, than you are on a motorbike, or while cycling, driving or walking.

In the Algarve there are more and more rental companies offering these scooters to tourists so this is an extremely relevant subject to discuss. The event has the collaboration of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), Portuguese Road Prevention (PRP) and the Faro Traffic Detachment of the Territorial Command of the National Republican Guard (GNR) of Faro, where issues such as “the legal framework and the legislation in force in the field of electric vehicles, namely scooters and electric bicycles, risks and safe behaviour when driving these vehicles and the importance of supervision”, according to the statement issued by the Event organisers.

There is an average of 12 accidents per month with scooters in Portugal, according to data from Public Safety Police (PSP) for the period between 2019 and 2021

Negligence in driving these vehicles explains most of the accidents, according to the PSP, which warns that the severity of these accidents has been increasing in the last two years, with more light and serious injuries to report.

The initiative will take place at the Municipal Auditorium of Albufeira from 14:00, with free participation but with mandatory prior registration until May 5th via telephone 925 531 045 or 289 599 598.

Now for a brief look at some of the other news from across the Algarve.

3 Injured in Road Accident near Praia Verde

A road accident that took place on the night of Wednesday, April 26, at the intersection of Praia Verde , in the municipality of Castro Marim , caused three injuries, two of them seriously, according to Arenilha TV.

The two seriously injured were a 36-year-old National Republican Guard soldier and a 71-year-old woman, who were transported to the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, in Faro.The area is a place where road accidents often take place, and the population and the municipality have been demanding the construction of a roundabout for several years.

There were 21 operators on site, supported by eight vehicles, while traffic was conditioned.

Water Level at Bravura Reservoir are Down Again

The drought has worsened at the Bravura Reservoir , in the western Algarve, now with 600,000 cubic metres less water than a year ago, forcing farmers to look for alternatives to get around an increasingly complicated scenario.

In one of the country’s most critical reservoirs, the restriction on the use of water for irrigation imposed since February 2022 led dozens of farmers and two golf courses to resort to two boreholes – a situation that will be repeated this year –, while the association which manages the structure, in the municipality of Lagos , and the irrigation perimeter of Alvor, is studying the possibility of more holes and preparing a large-scale project to stop water losses.

“We have much less water than we had last year. Last year was already a very complicated year for our associates and for our irrigators. And this year, life is very difficult”, said António Marreiros, president of the Association of Irrigants and Beneficiaries of Alvor (ARBA).

The director explained that, compared to the same period last year (April 2022), the level dropped from 5,300,000 cubic metres to 4,700,000 cubic metres of water, generating more concern among the 937 beneficiaries covered by the irrigation perimeter .

According to the National Water Resources Information System, on the last day of March 2023, the volume of water in Bravura was 4.747 million cubic metres of water, equivalent to 13.6% of the 34.82 million cubic metres of total storage capacity.

Built in 1958, this dam supplies around 1,800 hectares of farms in the hydro-agricultural perimeter of Alvor, with a total of 937 beneficiaries. The worsening of the drought last year led the Government to restrict the use of water for irrigation from Bravura, serving only for public supply, a measure that this year began ten days earlier than in 2022.

“Last year we started later to supply water to Águas do Algarve and this year we are already supplying 60 litres per second for the water supply to Lagos, Aljezur and Vila do Bispo”, said António Marreiros.

Given the impossibility of irrigation, 30 farmers and two golf courses were served by two boreholes in the Penina area, in the municipality of Portimão, but for farmers in the Odiáxere area, Lagos, no similar alternative was found. “The APA [Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente], exceptionally last year, authorised the opening of some holes in our irrigation perimeter and this year, if this continues and if the farmers so understand, possibly a few more holes will be authorised for to be able to save permanent crops, that is, fruit trees”, pointed out the president of ARBA.

The association is carrying out surveys in some land to try to find water “with quality and quantity” in the subsoil, still without success, and hopes that treated wastewater will be used to irrigate golf courses.

With the use of boreholes, energy consumption has doubled for some producers, although there is a tendency to decrease. “It is unthinkable for a person to have a large crop with water from the holes, because the products are much more expensive. And when we go to the market, we notice that vegetables are more expensive”, he stressed.

To modernise a structure that is more than 60 years old, the irrigation association has already made an investment of 1.7 million euros in waterproofing the supply channels at the Vale da Lama distributor, over a length of ten kilometres, waiting for the use of water for irrigation to be implemented again.

“Unfortunately, we still haven’t managed to put water there. It was an important work, but now we lack the water to put it there. There’s always evaporation, it’s still an open-air channel, but it reduces water losses to a great extent. If we had water, losses of 20% or 30% would decrease to 6 or 7%”, estimated António Marreiros. However, the largest work on the irrigation perimeter of Alvor, worth seven million euros, with support from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), consists of pressurising the system, to “drastically” and “brutally” eliminate ” water losses.

“The team of designers is working on the project. It is expected that the project will be completed by the end of the year, so that we can launch the tender for the physical work, on the ground, to start next year”, advanced the associative leader.

Still in the western Algarve, but in Aljezur, the problem of drought is also felt and the situation will force to “accelerate” all the projects on the table to find alternative solutions, stressed the mayor. Immediately, said José Gonçalves, “the requirement to reduce consumption as much as possible” involves pedagogy and a constant campaign with consumers and a more effective control of municipal equipment and public buildings.

Couple Arrested at Faro Airport on Drug Charges

A couple, aged 36 and 37 have been arrested at Faro airport with 12.9 kilos of cocaine concealed in their luggage, arriving in Faro on a flight originating in Brazil. Both were remanded in custody.

According to the Judicial Police, the couple were detained following an inspection carried out by the customs officers at Faro airport, but did not specify the day on which the detention took place.The authorities also seized an unspecified amount of euro banknotes and other objects related to the crime, said the PJ.

After being present at the first judicial interrogation in Faro, both were subject to preventive detention.

Truck Driver Injured when Lorry Collides with Toll Booths on A2

A truck driver was injured yesterday afternoon, after having collided with the tolls booths on the A2, in Paderne. The vehicle collided and was stuck on top of a ‘rail’ protecting one of the toll lanes on the A2 motorway, in the south-north direction.

The driver of the truck,  around 40 years old, suffered minor injuries and was rescued by a team from the Albufeira Fire Department and an INEM medical team, later being transported to the Albufeira Basic Emergency Service. The GNR took care of directing traffic until the truck was removed from the site.

Brazilian lifeguards to reinforce surveillance on Algarve beaches this Summer

The Algarve beach concessions are having difficulties attracting lifeguarding candidates.Due to this lack of applications, Marines have been called in to help with surveillance on the Algarve’s beaches.Shortage of applicants marks post-covid, with just 20 candidates in Praia da Rocha this year.

To resolve the lack of candidates on national soil, the region is preparing to receive Brazilian professionals, who are currently available as it’s the low season in their country of origin.

SIC television channel reported live from Praia da Rocha this week, where from May 1, every beach concession will have its own lifeguards thanks to the additional support. The team coming from Brazil will be made up of 15 lifeguards, helped by a motorbike, a quad bike and a rescue drone.

In total, around 120 lifeguards are coming from Brazil to support various areas of the Algarve, such as Alvor and Albufeira, where the season officially kicks off on May 15. In the meantime, the Praia dos Pescadores beach in Albufeira was the only one guarded all year round. The municipality invested in continuous surveillance to become a year-round beach destination. Portimão is said to follow suit as it considers testing this measure on its beaches.

Man Detained on Drug Charges in Sagres

A 36-year-old man was remanded in custody for drug trafficking on April 28, in the Sagres area , in the municipality of Vila do Bispo , announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

This man sold narcotic products in various places in the county and was identified after an investigation that had been going on for two months.

During an operation that led to the suspect’s arrest, two house searches were carried out and one in a vehicle, where 524 doses of heroin, 371 doses of cocaine, 1.5 grams of MDMA, a vehicle, and six bottles of nitrous oxide were seized. 211 grams of sodium bicarbonate, 300 grams of creatine, a knife with drug residue, a scale with drug residue, five mobile phones and 1660 euros in cash.

The suspect was detained at the GNR premises and was present at the Judicial Court of Portimão.

Man Detained on Suspicion of Attempted Murder In Olhao

The police arrested a man for the crime of homicide , after he had a falling out and attacked another man, with a bladed weapon, on Wednesday, April 26, in Olhão , announced the Public Security Police (PSP).

The man is 61 years old, lives in Olhão, was detained “in flagrante delicto”, is “suspected of the crime of attempted homicide, and was held in preventive detention, the most serious coercive measure, by decision of the court of instruction where he was present to undergo the first judicial interrogation, the security force specified in a statement.

The authorities were called to respond to an “occurrence of physical aggression in the city of Olhão” and, upon arriving at the scene, PSP agents found the suspect “in possession of a bladed weapon and with traces of blood”. “The victim was lying on the ground with serious and visible injuries, requiring immediate help, which was provided by INEM [National Institute of Medical Emergency]”, added the Faro District Command of the PSP.

The police elements ended up approaching the aggressor, who collaborated with the instructions of the PSP and was arrested “without resorting to the use of force”, said the security force.

The evidence collected in the preliminary investigations shows that the victim and the aggressor knew each other and that the conflict was caused by a “personal misunderstanding”.

The injuries suffered led the victim to be admitted to the Faro unit of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA), from which he was discharged the following day, the PSP also indicated.

7 Arrested for Illegal Gambling In Almancil

Seven men aged between 25 and 53 were accused on April 19 for illegal gambling in Almancil , in the municipality of Loulé , announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

During an inspection of catering and beverage establishments, the GNR military detected the seven individuals illegally gambling, playing for money.

The GNR also seized 3480 euros in cash and a deck of cards used in the practice of the game.The suspects were made defendants and the facts communicated to the Judicial Court of Loulé.

Have a Safe Week.

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday April 26th 2023

Yacht towed due to engine issue

A Spanish yacht was towed to the Port of Funchal after experiencing an engine issue. The yacht had been sailing around 100 metres from the shore near the Port of Funchal. A member of the public had contacted the authorities at 11h04 on April 24th. A vessel from the Funchal Lifeguard Station (Estação Salva-Vidas do Funchal) was deployed and found the 12 crew members were safe. The yacht had to be towed to the Funchal Marine by the lifeguard vessel in order to ensure navigation safety and that of the crew. The Captain of the Port of Funchal coordinated this mission in cooperation with the Funchal Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC).

New lounge at Madeira Airport

A new lounge belonging to ANA/VINCI Airports was opened at Madeira Airport in the departures hall. It is located in a privileged location on the 3rd floor, has nice views and provides comfort, quietness and light meals. It is open from 06h00 to 21h00. Executive class passengers flying with SATA-Azores Airlines, Air Nostrum, Lufthansa, Austrian and Swiss as well any other passengers will be able to use it. Passengers can book online (http://www.ana.pt/pt/fnc/home) or in the reception located at the lounge’s entrance.

Extra Porto Santo ferry services on May 1st

Porto Santo Line informed there will be extra ferry services to and from Porto Santo on May 1st. These are intended to provide additional travel choices for passengers and to encourage more visitors to visit Porto Santo during that Bank Holiday.

The timetable of the ferry services on May 1st will be:

Funchal – Porto Santo: 08h00 & 16h30 (extra service)

Porto Santo – Funchal: 13h00 (extra service) & 20h00

Passengers wishing to amend the booking (free of charge) must do so by visiting one of the Porto Santo Line branches:

– Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, number 20, Funchal (open from Monday to Friday – 08h30-18h00

– Estrada Monumental, number 175C, Funchal (open from Monday to Sunday – 09h-20h00)

– Cais do Funchal (open Monday to Sunday – 10h00-13h00 & 14h00-19h00)

– Rua D. Estevão de Alencastre, Loja 6/7, Porto Santo (open from Monday to Friday – 10h00-18h00)

Alternatively, passengers can call (+351) 291 210 300 or (+351) 962 025 500 from Monday to Sunday (09h00-12h30 & 14h00-19h00) or send an email to infopsl@gruposousa.pt.

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption on April 26th, from 14h00 to 18h00, in the parish (freguesia) of Ribeira Brava. The following areas will be affected: Apresentação; Cruz; Fajã da Urtiga; Fajã do Cerejo; Lombo Cesteiro; Pico Banda D’Além; Pomar da Rocha.

Power cut

Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira (Madeira power supplier) announced there will be power cuts due to scheduled work on the electricity supply network. These cannot be postponed and will take place in the following days and places:

FUNCHAL

April 27th – 09h00 to 11h30

– Rua do Pina (numbers 14 to 47)

– Travessa do Pina (number 34)

– Travessa de São Luís (number 11)

However, power could be restored during the time frame mentioned above. So, for safety purposes, it should be assumed that there will be power at any time during this period of time.

If necessary, customers can contact the free Customer Support Service number (Serviço de Apoio ao Cliente): 800 221 187.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 26th April 2023.

Good morning – Firstly I hope all those who were able to take a holiday yesterday, known as Carnation Day, had a relaxing time with some very good weather in many areas.

It was pleasing to note that there were surprising few rural fires despite an increase in temperatures and the fire risk. So far so good.  However over the next few days the temperature is set to rise well above average for April, although it appears Spain will suffer the most, with temperature of 40C forecast.

Although in Portugal it is likely to be in the region of 30C to 35C in some parts , these sorts of temperatures in April do not bode well for the summer, when we could experience heatwaves similar or more intense that last year, according to a recent statement by the Minister of Internal Administration.

In fact according to the IPMA “This will be the third heatwave of the month, if it occurs,” said Bruno Café, the first heatwave having taken place between April 2nd and 11th and the second between April 15th and 20th. According to IPMA, a heatwave occurs when maximum temperatures are at least five degrees above the average maximum temperature for six consecutive days.

Although a great deal of preparatory work has been done to tackle fires when they occur, such as addition resources (human and financial – plus more aircraft to combat fires, it is essential that the community also does its part through land cleaning. Just 5 days to go before the deadline.

During the last week, the specialist who studied the fires of 2017, Pro. Domingos Xavier Viegas, warned that, despite the occurrence of large fires being more “probable” in the Centre and North regions of Portugal, these phenomena can happen “everywhere”.

He added “Our experience shows that they can occur practically everywhere. In the regions of Central and Northern Portugal, where the topography is more complex and the vegetation is more prone to fires, it is more likely, but we have already seen large fires in regions where, at the outset, it was not expected”.

Recognizing that the country has learned some lessons from the fires of 2017, in which 114 people died, the specialist who was part of the Independent Technical Observatory and coordinated the studies requested by the Government on those fires considers, however, that it has not been “enough”, and there is “a long way to go”.

Although this was interpreted by some media that Portugal in some way is ill prepared to fight fires, this is far from the truth. As Prof. Veigas says, there is more to be learned by the scientific community and operationally how fire behave under such intense conditions and this is an issue not just in Portugal, but overseas as well. This is why there are groups such as FirEUrisk” funded by the EC which comprise various experts to study phenomena such as this, to come up with recommendations to address these problems. Safe Communities is privileged to be a member of the FirEurisk observatory and this has enabled us to be involved in the debate examining these issues as well as others.

So over the next few says with more extreme weather conditions and exposed fire risk, let’s make every effort to prevent fires and reduce the risk of them threatening rural communities – step one land cleaning!

With that our team wish you a safe week ahead.

News

Turkey honours Portuguese team that supported rescues after earthquake

The President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, honored, this Tuesday, in Ankara, the Joint Operational Force (FOCON) that fulfilled in Turkey the mission of supporting search and rescue operations after the violent earthquake of February 6th.

The head of mission of the Portuguese force, Commander José Guilherme, received the decoration insignia from Turkey, also awarded to the other international teams that were in the country to help with search and rescue work, says the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) ), in a press release.

The Joint Operational Force (FOCON), coordinated by ANEPC and made up of 52 members of the Special Civil Protection Force of ANEPC, GNR, Lisbon Firefighters’ Regiment and National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) and six dogs, was more than a week in the Turkish city of Antakya/Hatay.

Dozens of countries continue to evacuate citizens from Sudan

A total of 138 citizens were rescued”, including “87 Ukrainians, mostly aviation specialists – pilots, technicians and their family members”, as well as “citizens of Georgia and Peru”, the main intelligence department of the Ministry of Defence, Ukrain published in a Telegram.

Also today, the Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the withdrawal of 700 citizens from the capital of Sudan, Khartoum, with the departure of a train carrying 211 Pakistanis, adding to those who had already been transported on Monday.

According to the ministry, before this operation, 1,500 Pakistanis were in Sudan.

India today evacuated 278 citizens aboard a Navy ship that will take them to the Saudi city of Jeddah, said the spokesman for the Ministry of India, Arindam Bagchi, in a publication on the social network ‘Twitter’.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi quantified last week that more than 3,000 Indians reside in Sudan.

Operations to evacuate Indian citizens from Sudan began on Monday, sending two military planes to Khartoum and a navy vessel to Port Sudan.

According to the latest balance released by the agency France-Press (AFP) dozens of countries are withdrawing citizens, taking advantage of a 72-hour ceasefire decreed by the belligerents.

The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, announced that by the end of Monday, another 1,200 European citizens had been removed from the approximately 1,500 who lived in the country in conflict.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday April 26th 2023

Air Force rescues woman from sailing boat 

The Air Force announced that it had rescued, during the afternoon of Sunday, April 23rd, a 31-year-old woman, of French nationality, who was on board a sailboat in need of urgent health care.

Video Here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53ZqqBRpuqk&t=9s

An EH-101 Merlin helicopter, from Squadron 751 – “Pumas” in Permanent Detachment in the Azores, was activated in order to carry out the rescue 203 km from Lajes.

The sailboat crew member was successfully recovered and later transported to a hospital, after receiving the first health care while still on board the helicopter by the military nurse.

The Lajes Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) was involved in this operation, in conjunction with the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), of the Navy.

Government of the Azores inaugurates the pedestrian route of Ribeira da Agualva.

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, Berta Cabral, inaugurated, this Monday, the pedestrian trail “Walks of Agualva – On the Route of History”, in Praia da Vitória, Terceira Island, winning project under the Participatory Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores 2019.

For the Regional Secretary for Tourism, the footpaths of the Azores are iconic, and their landscapes constitute a significant part of the identity of the nine islands. They are an excellent way to explore the islands in depth and to experience a more direct contact with nature.

“The Azores are the perfect destination to experience throughout the year and on all islands, as they offer nature, adventure, and a rich history, combined with a very diverse built heritage. All this leverage contributes to the economic sustainability and social sustainability that our Region needs”, he underlined.

Berta Cabral made a point of recalling that the new PEMTA (Strategic Marketing Plan for Tourism of the Azores 2030) arose precisely from the need to safeguard “the cultural, historical and environmental dimension, in addition to the differentiated products of each of the nine islands in the promotion of the destination Azores”.

 “The Azores, it is never too much to mention, are a sustainable destination at an economic, environmental and social level. The Azores are a destination of nature”.

“The Azores already have the conditions to have tourism all year round and on all the islands, but we intend, with the new PEMTA, to consolidate our destination, which is recognized and awarded nationally and internationally”, emphasized Berta Cabral, for whom the archipelago has “differentiated products, all related to nature, with outdoor initiatives, which blossomed in the post-pandemic”.

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure reinforced that the Azores cannot sell what they do not have or what they are not: “we have to sell our exuberant nature, capable of providing extraordinary and unique experiences and which arise because our people do make this possible”.

Trail Run Real Priolo with 750 participants. 

The third edition of the Trail Run Real Priolo, which will take place on the 29th in the municipality of Nordeste, has around 750 participants, the highest number ever, revealed the organization.

At a press conference at the Ponta do Sossego viewpoint, in the Northeast, Marco Moura, vice-president of the local council, said that registrations are already closed and that compared to 2022 there is an increase of 200 participants.

The organization of the race has the support of Centro Desportivo e Recreativo do Nordeste, in partnership with the Clube Desportivo e Cultural Juventude Ilha Verde and the Athletics Association of São Miguel.

At the time, it was revealed that the fourth edition of the competition, in 2024, will take place on April 27th.