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Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 15th March 2023

 

By Mike Evans

Good day to you all and as the weather warms up we must all start to think about the start of the fire season around the countryside and what we can all do to help alleviate the situation by making sure all the areas around your homes, if you live in the countryside are kept low so making it less likely that a fire could spread. Whilst the current situation is low risk this will inevitably rise as the weather warms up. We publish the details of fire risk on our Facebook page on a daily basis so if you don’t already look in on our page we do suggest you check out your area to see what the situation is like.

In addition we have a large amount of information on our website which details what to do in case of fires as well as how to make sure your land is cleaned.

Now for a look at some of the news from around the Algarve over the past couple of weeks with regards to Safety and security.

SEF Identifies 6 Victims of Human Trafficking

The Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) identified and applied a measure of support and protection to six foreigners who were identified as victims of human trafficking, in an operation carried out in the western Algarve, on Saturday, the 11th March.

The identification of these people as victims of the crime of trafficking in human beings was carried out following an inspection carried out by the SEF during the week in the westernmost area of ​​the Algarve aimed at “confirming the address of some foreign citizens” in a residence , indicated the SEF in a statement.

“It was found that the six citizens were enticed from their country of origin with the promise of work in Portugal in agriculture, with the right to accommodation and subsequent legislation, by paying 13 thousand euros per person to an illegal immigration network ”.

The Foreigners and Borders Service pointed out that the information collected led to the conclusion that “these citizens had to resort to credits and help from family members to gather the necessary money” to pay the illegal network that was in charge of the trip to Portugal.

When SEF inspectors began the inspection to confirm the address, “they found that 24 foreign citizens, of Hindustani origin, were staying in the same house” and were alerted “to the vulnerable situation of a group of five citizens who shared a room there. ”, said the security service.

The same source added that the inspectors found that “five citizens have been in Portugal for four months, holding work visas”, and confirmed “the signs” that these men were being “victims of human trafficking”.

The group of five immigrants were transported to Faro, where technicians from the Association for Family Planning (APF), belonging to a Specialized Multidisciplinary Team, interviewed them and flagged them as victims”, being “guaranteed help and protection”.

Subsequently, and based on the testimonies of these people and with additional data obtained, the inspectors were able to arrive at the “location, on Friday, of a sixth citizen in the same conditions”, who was also “also flagged as a victim ” and supported with “appropriate humanitarian assistance”. It was subsequently discovered  that these six immigrants, after arriving in Portugal, were “taken to the Algarve and housed in one room of the identified house”, through the “additional payment” of a value of “140 euros per month for a mattress”.

The alleged work “did not take place” and the immigrants were “forced to buy employment contracts and pay their own contributions”, as well as those “from the employer to Social Security, in order to meet the formal conditions for legalisation in Portugal ”, sustained the SEF.

When they were unable to respond to the demands made of them, “they were abandoned to their fate, living on the charity of the other tenants of the house”, he added.

“Citizens were, however, questioned as witnesses and all the information was reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and an investigation was opened for the crime of human trafficking”, according to the security service.

Illegal fishing gear seized to capture octopus in Ria Formosa

During a routine surveillance and inspection service, nature watchers from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests ( ICNF ), on duty in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, detected this Thursday a 250-metre cable and 22 baited pots to capture octopus, indicated the Algarve Regional Directorate for Nature Conservation and Forests.

Since that fishing gear is prohibited in the Ria Formosa, the guards seized it and the captured octopuses were released in their natural habitat.

“As the owner of the fishing gear has not been identified, a report was issued against unknown persons”, says the ICNF Regional Directorate in a statement.

Two arrested for thefts in Olhão, Tavira and São Brás

A man and a woman were arrested on Tuesday, March 7, for robberies and thefts that took place in the municipalities of Olhão , Tavira and São Brás de Alportel , announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

The arrest of the 20-year-old man and the 22-year-old woman took place in Olhão and was carried out by the Faro Territorial Command, through the Olhão Territorial Post, in collaboration with the Protection and Socorro Emergency Unit, after two robberies of elderly people and three residential burglaries.

In one of these robberies, one of the victims ended up suffering serious injuries and required hospital treatment.After the GNR military became aware of data characteristic of the suspects’ vehicle, they were able to locate and intercept the individuals, who when approached it was possible to confirm that they were in possession of several stolen items.

The suspects were detained and two mobile phones, a guitar, a stone sink and 70 euros in cash were seized.

The detainees were constituted defendants and will be present at the Judicial Court of Olhão for the application of coercive measures.

Woman arrested with more than 750 counterfeit goods

A 47-year-old woman was accused and more than 750 counterfeit items that were sold on social networks were seized in the Algarve region by the National Republican Guard (GNR), on Tuesday, March 7, announced the security force.

The “Online Store” operation seized 755 counterfeit articles of clothing, perfumery and jewellery as part of an investigation for crimes against industrial property of counterfeiting , imitation and illegal use of a brand, which had been going on for about a year.

The GNR complied with a house search warrant and two vehicle search warrants, and a mobile phone was also seized.The value of the seized articles exceeds 12,800 euros, and their release for consumption will have caused an approximate loss of more than 2,900 euros to the Portuguese State.

The details of the case were sent to the Judicial Court of Faro.

Man on the Run Robberies In The Algarve for 22 years finally apprehended by PJ

The Judiciary Police announced that they had arrested a 41-year-old man in Évora, who had been on the run for 22 years and suspected of committing crimes of aggravated theft and robberies of the elderly in isolated hills in the Alentejo and Algarve.

In a statement, the Judiciary Police (PJ) revealed that the suspect was detained through the Local Criminal Investigation Unit (ULIC) of Évora, for the practice of aggravated theft, three crimes of theft, one of which was attempted, and document forgery.

“The criminal acts took place in 2000, with the intervention of other suspects, most of them being sentenced by the Court of Évora to sentences between five and 16 years in prison”.

Four arrested and 106 bales of hashish seized off the Algarve coast

Four men were arrested and 106 bales of hashish were seized by the authorities during the night of Tuesday, March 7, in international waters off the Algarve coast, announced the National Maritime Authority.

This joint operation between the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Air Force resulted in the seizure of around 3710 kilos of drugs, the arrest of two Spanish and two Moroccan men and the seizure of a high-speed vessel that was suspected of drug trafficking activity.

The authorities monitored suspicious movements in several vessels and carried out the approach operation in international waters through two means: one from the Navy, operated by marines, and another vessel from the Maritime Police. The initial phase of this process involved the patrol and surveillance of a Portuguese Air Force maritime patrol aircraft that detected and followed the movements of the suspected vessel.

The vessel and the hashish were transferred to the port of Faro , along with the four individuals, who were handed over to the Judiciary Police.

Cyclist dies after hit-and-run in Boliqueime

A young 20-year-old cyclist died this Thursday, March 9, after being run over by a light passenger vehicle in Boliqueime , in the municipality of Loulé , according to the Faro District Relief Operations Command.

The driver of the vehicle ended up fleeing, but was quickly located and accused, in addition to being subject to an identity and residence term.

The alert for this accident, which took place on National Road 270, was given at 07:25.There were 12 operatives on site, supported by six vehicles, including an Emergency Medical Vehicle and Resuscitation from Hospital de Albufeira and members of the National Republican Guard.

Man rescued after falling into rocky area in Culatra

A 60-year-old man was rescued on Saturday, March 11, after an accidental fall on a rocky area next to the heliport on the island of Culatra , in Faro , announced the National Maritime Authority.

The alert was given at 19:40 by the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center and elements of the Olhão Maritime Police Local Command, crew from the Olhão Lifeguard Station, lighthouse keepers were immediately sent to the scene. and an INEM aircraft.

The victim was located and rescued from the place, having been later assisted by elements of INEM. Once stabilised, she was transported by INEM aircraft to a hospital unit.

100th Iberian Lynx released into the wild

 And to close this report a milestone in conservation of the Iberian Lynx, The 100th lynx born at the National Centre for the Reproduction of the Iberian Lynx (CNRLI), in Silves, was released in Serra Arana, in Andalusia (Spain), announced the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests ( ICNF ) .

“This Friday, March 3, World Wildlife Day, marks the release into nature in Sierra Arana, Andalusia, of the 100th lynx born at the CNRLI […], since the opening of this centre”, says one ICNF statement.

According to the note, the 100 specimens bred at the CNRLI were “introduced into the wild in different places on the Iberian Peninsula”. The CNRLI, which was inaugurated on October 26, 2009, is part of the Iberian network of breeding centres that constitute the ‘ex situ’ (outside the natural habitat) Conservation Program for the Iberian lynx, with 154 lynxes having already been born at this institute .

The “Iberian lynx population census of the Guadiana Valley” for the year 2022, in Portugal, confirmed the existence of more than 30 breeding females in the reconstituted Iberian lynx population from 2015, installed in the Guadiana Valley and, since 2019, also in the eastern Algarve.

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) was considered “the most endangered feline species in the world, and is still one of the most endangered”, but, according to the ICNF, “it is recovering with the help of conservation efforts for both sides of the border”.

According to the statement, in Portugal, this species reached a “pre-extinction phase” at the beginning of the 21st century, with the last traces of a lynx in the national territory being detected in 2001, in a border zone, probably from a “lynx dispersant” of populations in Spain.

“Currently, the 31 breeding females confirmed in the national territory ensure the sustainability of this population in Portugal, so that to keep growing it no longer depends on the annual release of several specimens born in captivity”, assures the ICNF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azores situation report Wednesday 15th March 2023

 

New president of SATA says the company is in “significant recovery”. 

The new chairman of SATA’s Board of Directors, Teresa Mafalda Gonçalves, assured, in a parliamentary hearing, in the Azores, that the company is in “recovery” and that it will show “significant growth” in the 2022 accounts.

“It is not a recovery that can be seen overnight”, explained the administrator of the Azorean airline, during a hearing at the Economics commission of the Regional Assembly, held in Ponta Delgada, stressing that, even so, the company’s financial results, indicate a “very significant growth in terms of revenues”.

Teresa Gonçalves, who replaces Luís Rodrigues in the position, who was transferred to the management of TAP, at the invitation of the Government of the Republic, recalled that the financial results of Grupo SATA, relative to last year, are not yet closed and, therefore, did not want to still reveal numbers to deputies.

Diocese of Angra suspends two priests on suspicion of abuse. 

The diocese of Angra, in the Azores, has suspended two priests who are being investigated for alleged cases of sexual abuse of minors, it has been announced.

In a statement, the Bishop of Angra, Armando Esteves Domingues, reveals that the list given to him last Friday by the Independent Commission for the Study of cases of Sexual Abuse of Minors in the Catholic Church in Portugal “contains two names: one priest from São Miguel and another from Terceira Island”.

“The diocesan bishop has already spoken with both and, together, they agreed that the priests in question will be prevented from the public exercise of the ministry until the end of the prior investigation process, which has already been initiated in the diocese and in accordance with canonical norms. The participation to the Public Ministry will also follow”, adds the statement.

In the note, Armando Esteves Domingues underlines that “this decision is not an assumption of guilt by themselves, nor a condemnation by the diocesan bishop”, but rather the fulfilment of what Pope Francis has recommended as a norm and practice of the Church in matters of abuses.

The report by the Independent Commission for the Study of Sexual Abuse of Children in the Catholic Church in Portugal identified complaints relating to eight cases of alleged abuse that occurred in seven municipalities in the Azores: two in Velas and one in Calheta, on the island of São Jorge; one on Faial; one in Angra do Heroísmo and one in Praia da Vitória, on Terceira Island; one in the municipality of Lajes and another in São Roque, both on the island of Pico, the statement also says.

“These alleged abuses were allegedly committed between 1973 and 2004, by different people”, four of whom – three priests and one layperson – have since died.

The diocese adds that, “after the presentation of the report by the Independent Commission, and after three years of activity without any complaint, it has already received a new complaint, which involves a priest of São Miguel who has died”.

A member of the Diocesan Commission for Prevention and Accompaniment met with the victim and provided “the support of the diocese to continue this path of recovery”.

According to the bishop, “after the shame and scandal that the revelation of the existence of abuses provoked in society in general and Christians in particular, it is time for action”.

“To all those who feel hurt, confused or lost, we appeal to you to trust that everything will be done to implement punitive measures where necessary, but also preventive and formative measures, which contribute to restoring confidence and hope to all Christians”, he adds.

Armando Esteves Domingues defends that “the priority of the Church must continue to be the victims, who for years suffered in silence (…), guaranteeing them the right to justice and care, without rejecting technical, human and financial means to repair the harm inflicted”.

“Even aware that the perception of the seriousness of this crime is very different today than it was in the past, these abuses could never have happened in the Church. Asking for forgiveness is not enough”, stresses the prelate, assuring that “the diocese of Angra will do everything to ensure that abuses no longer take place”.

“The Church cannot even try to hide the tragedy of abuse. We will act with zero tolerance towards abusers and make ourselves available to welcome, listen and repair the lives of all those who have been abused, whether those who have already reported it, or those who in their silence and shame continue to suffer alone”, he adds.

The bishop also announces the availability, through the Diocesan Commission for Prevention and Monitoring, “of all means to guarantee the monitoring and psychological treatment of the victims”.

“This commission, now renewed, composed only of lay people, specialists in various social, therapeutic and legal areas, will continue to do its work in an even more committed way, guaranteeing the secrecy that situations of this delicacy require”, continues the statement.

The bishop of Angra also addresses “those who still haven’t had the courage to denounce or prefer not to voice their silence”, expressing “availability to listen to them”.

The Independent Commission validated, at the national level, 512 of the 564 testimonies received – between January and October 2022 -, pointing, by extrapolation, to a minimum number of victims of around 4,815. Twenty-five cases were reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which led to the opening of 15 inquiries, of which nine have already been archived, six remaining under investigation.

These testimonies refer to cases that occurred in the period between 1950 and 2022, the time span that covered the commission’s work.

The summary of the report, however, reveals that “the data collected in ecclesiastical archives regarding the incidence of sexual abuse must be understood as the ‘tip of the iceberg’”.

On the morning of last Friday, this commission led by child psychiatrist Pedro Strecht, delivered the list of alleged abusers to those responsible for the different dioceses.

 

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 8th March 2023

 

Good morning – If you think that the number of on-line scams are increasing you are probably right.

Certainly in the last two weeks we have seen a variety of phishing email as well as those sent through SMNS known as “smishing”. This have been sent by fraudsters falsely using the names of many well-known companies and government entities such as: EDP, CTT, the Finances (AT), the Judicial Police, PSF and evening Europol and Interpol. These are the common ones but there are some less common.

Some of these are quite alarming accusing the receiver of the email of watching on-line child pornography or that the person owes a debt of some nature. If you do receive these the first thing is not to panic and pay-up. Why? Because the sending has no evidence of any alleged wrong-doing and it is simply a scam, some computer generated at random.

There is no way that Interpol and Europol are going to contact you directly asking you to pay a fine and the police here in Portugal do not send emails in this way.   If you do receive any of these or something similar it is important not to click on any links or reply. The senders address normally gives this away but some can be very similar to the original. Delete the email and block the sender.

In the case of claimed outstanding debts allegedly from EDP for example, then simply check directly with the company but not using and contact details shown in the message that you receive. These emails can be forwarded in some instances using the contact details of the security departments of the entities concerned. If you have paid, however, and then believe this was a fraud then do report this to police, as not only have you lost money but have probably give the fraudster personal banking information, which they can use to access your bank account in future.

Last night the ANEPC issued a notification to the population concerning heavy rain, winds and rough seas. Safety advice was issued and I would highlight the following: Take special care when travelling and staying near wooded areas, being attentive to the possibility of falling branches and trees, due to stronger wind. Also take special care when driving along riverside areas that are historically more vulnerable to phenomena of overflow of watercourses, preventing the circulation and stay in these places

Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed and taking special care be careful with the possible formation of water on the roads. Do not cross flooded areas, in order to avoid falling into holes or your vehicle being trapped in open sewers. Last night there was dense fog in some parts of the Algarve and IPMA forecast is that this may be repeated again this evening. It is important to monitor weather conditions and warning.

Lastly today is International Women’s Day and we give our thanks to all of those working in the security forces, health services and others providing emergency services on this day.

Have a safe week ahead. From our team at Safe Communities

News

Government recognizes that there is an aging fire engine fleet

Odivelas, Lisbon, 07 March 2023 (Lusa) – The Secretary of State for Civil Protection recognized today that, in many fire brigades in the country, there is an aging vehicle fleet, considering that “greater predictability” is needed in the replacement of older vehicles.

Within the scope of the initiative “Preparing the summer in the winter”, the Government has been meeting with representatives of humanitarian associations and commanders of fire brigades of the 24 Portuguese Intermunicipal communities, in order to clarify existing issues.

After the last meeting, held today in Odivelas, with commanders from the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Patrícia Gaspar told Lusa that the re-equipment of firefighters, with regard to the fleet of vehicles, was one of the main concerns demonstrated throughout the country.

“In many parts of the country we have an aging vehicle fleet. (…) It is essential to guarantee their replacement”, recognizes the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, without going into detail on these points.

In the last 20 years, the acquisition of “heavier fire-fighting equipment” has been done mainly through community funds, but also with the support of local authorities, explains the official, but Patrícia Gaspar wants to guarantee “greater predictability” in the renovation of the fire department car park.

“What we have to understand from now on is what will be the best instrument, the best way to guarantee greater predictability (…) for fire departments of when and how they will be able to replace older vehicles and acquire new ones”, points out the Secretary of State.

Even so, it underlines the investment in the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) planned for the acquisition of 82 forestry vehicles, destined for 81 fire departments.

Among the issues raised by firefighters in meetings with Internal Administration leaders were the career of the profession and also the permanent financing of corporations.

On this last point, Patrícia Gaspar explains that there is, on the part of the associations, the demand for a “greater increase, especially in the difficult phase we are living in”, given the increase in the cost of living and inflation.

“We believe that over the next year we will be able to stabilize this situation and the guarantee we left is that we will always be on the side of the fire departments”, he says, also admitting the possibility of additional measures to the permanent funding, which this year is budgeted by 31.7 million euros (2 million more than in 2022).

 

Doctors start two-day strike

This Wednesday, doctors start a two-day strike to demand that their careers and salary tables be valued, at a time when unions and the government are in negotiations, but still without an agreement after several inconclusive meetings.

This strike was called by the unions that make up the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM), which also scheduled a rally next to the Ministry of Health, in Lisbon, for this Wednesday, but does not have the support of the Independent Doctors Union (SIM), who distanced himself from the protest, claiming that it is not justified while negotiations with the Government are ongoing.

Among the demands of FNAM is the renegotiation of the medical career and the respective salary scale, which includes a base schedule of 35 hours, optional and increased exclusive dedication and the consideration of the medical internship as the first degree of the career.

The union structure also intends to revise the norms for the organization and discipline of medical work, the replacement of the 25 working days of vacation per year and the additional five days, when they are taken outside the high season, as well as the reduction of the normal working time in the emergency service from 6 pm to 12 pm.

This strike was announced at a time when negotiations are taking place with the Government, with the FNAM claiming that the stoppage is a response “to the lack of commitment, on the part of the Ministry of Health, to negotiate salary scales and the lack of measures to save the SNS”.

 

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday – 8th March 2023

 

Pre-trial detention for three suspects of robbery crimes in Ponta Delgada 

Three men were held in pre-trial detention for being suspected of committing three crimes of theft, which took place in the city of Ponta Delgada.

According to a statement from the Regional Command of the PSP of the Azores, the three men, aged between 38 and 40, were arrested last weekend, two of which have a criminal record.

The arrests “occurred following the treatment and analysis of the various signs that were collected during the investigation, which found that there was an interconnection between the three crimes, namely in terms of the motive for the crime, mode of action, places where they occurred and the type of crime, chosen victim, in this case, vulnerable victims resulting from situations associated with strong social exclusion”.

The PSP also says that the approach to the victims “was done by the suspects mainly at night, in places with little movement of people, in the city of Ponta Delgada, and the victims, under threat of aggression with white weapons, were forced to hand over money and goods they had in their possession. In one of the cases, under the threat of a knife, the victim was forced to go to an ATM, collect and deliver all the money he had in his account”.

After judicial interrogation, the coercive measure of pre-trial detention was applied to them.

Investigation continues, with a view to ascertaining the possible responsibility of the defendants in the commission of other crimes.

 

Two brothers arrested for domestic violence against their mother in Ponta Delgada 

The PSP detained, in flagrante delicto, two brothers, aged 33 and 49, in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, for committing the crime of domestic violence against their 71-year-old mother.

According to a statement from the Regional Command of the Azores of the PSP, “after a complaint reporting the episode of violence at the victim’s residence”, the PSP immediately went to the scene, “having glimpsed the victim in a state of nervousness and crying, informing that, moments before she had been threatened with death by her own children, causing her fear and restlessness”.

The PSP also said that they continued with aggressive and violent threats against their mother, they were immediately arrested, for the protection of the victim, due to advanced age and physical and psychological fragility, in addition to the danger of continuing criminal activity against the victim”.

The defendants were present at the 1st judicial interrogation before the competent Judicial Authority and the oldest defendant was given the most serious coercive measure, preventive detention and the other defendant the coercive measures of periodic presentations at the PSP Police Station, prohibition of contact with his mother and sister, not coming closer than 200 metres from the residence, and consequently abandoning the victim’s residence, in addition to undergoing drug addiction treatment.

Azores with worsening weather conditions and sea unrest 

The Azores will experience a “considerable worsening” of weather conditions and sea unrest, between 18:00 on Monday and 18:00 on Wednesday, warned the Navy.

The Navy and the National Maritime Authority alert the maritime community and the population in general “to the care to be taken, both in preparation for a trip to the sea, and when at sea or in coastal areas”, advising the reinforcement of mooring and to “close surveillance of moored and anchored vessels”.

“Avoid walks along the sea or in areas exposed to sea turmoil, such as the protective piers at ports, cliffs or beaches, to avoid being surprised by a wave”, is another precaution to be taken.

The Navy and the National Maritime Authority also ask that recreational fishing activities not be carried out, “especially along the cliffs and cliffs and cliff areas often hit by breaking waves, always bearing in mind that in these conditions the sea can easily reach apparently safe areas”.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed the islands of the Western group under yellow warning from the end of today due to the forecast of maritime unrest.

According to the IPMA, the yellow warning for the islands of the Western group (Flores and Corvo) will be active in the period between 18:00 today and 12:00 Tuesday.

The yellow warning is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the weather situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security report Wednesday 1st March 2023

Good morning – Today is International Civil Protection Day. Normally the annual event is held in Lisbon but this year, the national celebrations of the International Civil Protection Day will be decentralized and will take place in the Algarve.

The respective Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command (CREPC) has programmed, in partnership with the Civil Protection Services and Agents of the region, a pioneering set of initiatives to mark the event, whose climax will take place this Wednesday, March 1st. There will be a number of events celebrating this important day and we will post photos on our Facebook page.

Today is the first day of Meteorological Spring following the end of the Meteorological Winter yesterday. However although it has been relatively warm in the Algarve during the day, the yellow low minimum temperature warning remains in place until at least tomorrow in all districts of the mainland, except Faro District (Algarve).

The cold weather along with higher relative humidity levels overnight especially in the centre and north have mean that the rural fire risk has so far this year remained relatively low, increasing to moderate, with one or two municipalities at high risk on a few occasions. The number of fire so far this year stands at 1071 with 4254 hectares burned, far lower than the xx fires at the start of 2022.

It you are planning a trip to the Azores and are after good weather, then you need to study the weather patterns and warnings as closely as possible. Weather can change quickly and forecasts of more than a few days are often changed. At present depression KAMIEL is affecting the Azores, with a significant increase in wind intensity, with gusts that could reach 130 km/h in the Western Group (Flores and Corvo) and 100 km/h in the Central Group (Pico, Faial, S. Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira). Associated with it, there should be precipitation, sometimes heavy, which may be accompanied by thunderstorms, more frequent on the islands of the Central and Eastern Groups. This is not unusual for this time of the year.

If you are in the Azores the civil protection have advised to avid coastlines as waves could reach a maximum of 18 metres! Yellow and orange warnings in place central and western group respectively. Monitor here:

 https://www.ipma.pt/pt/otempo/prev-sam/?p=coastalevent

A further reminder that land cleaning for those living in rural areas must be completed by 30th April 2023. The GNR have started patrols a week ago to check for compliance and at this stage advice will be given. Later this will be in the form of warnings and if cleaning work is not completed by 30th then the property owner may be fined. If you own property but this is unoccupied or rented out then this work must still be undertaken.

The 50 metres to be cleaned (not cleared completely) is measured from the building itself not the perimeter wall. This means if there is neighbouring land that is overgrown closer to your property than 50 metres it is the responsibility of the owner to clean it. This is one reason why good neighbourly relationships are important especially is small villages where your neighbour may have many relatives in the, if you are concerned that the neighbour is not cleaning the land and this poses a fire risk try and speak with the neighbour so the land is cleaned, which is in the interests of the neighbour concerned, to avoid enforcement action being taken by the GNR.

The main priorities as far as cleaning are concerned is in the high priority areas, but everyone in rural areas should comply.

We wish you a safe week ahead and enjoy the Spring time when it arrives!

News

Request for legal aid can now be made directly at Social Security Direct

Lisbon, Feb 28, 2023 (Lusa) – Legal aid can now be requested directly on the Social Security Direct page, with a response estimated in a few days, which is a “digital revolution” for the Minister of Labour and a “step giant” for the Minister of Justice.

The new service was presented today, at the headquarters of the Social Security Institute, in Lisbon, and is the result of work between various bodies belonging to the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security and the Ministry of Justice.

According to the data presented, the Social Security receives an average of 140 thousand new requests for legal aid every year, something that had to be done in person and with the delivery of various documents on paper.

It was calculated that 3 million sheets of A4 format were delivered annually, directly causing the felling of 136 trees every year.

This service required, on average, a response time of 60 days, that is, two months.

Speaking to journalists, the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security assured that the objective “is that this becomes very quick, since the information is all in the system itself, articulated between the various bodies”.

“Our expectation is that the response will be very quick. Implementation begins now, we will monitor it, but make it much faster”, said Ana Mendes Godinho, without committing to any concrete deadline.

Earlier, in her speech, the minister highlighted the new service as demonstrating the “implementation of the values ​​of April” and how “there are no insurmountable barriers”.

“In a year when we are starting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April, we are also with this symbolic process of transformation making a digital revolution, the digital revolution at the service of citizens and at the service of being a more inclusive society that it has the ability to tear down walls that cannot exist”, defended Ana Mendes Godinho.

The Minister of Justice, on the other hand, highlighted that the new service “is a giant step” towards digitally finding all available information, whether on household, income or assets, “and thus being able to determine whether that citizen whether or not you have the right to a lawyer”, pointed out Catarina Sarmento e Castro, who underlined that “there is no justice if it is not for everyone”.

The minister stressed that in 2022, 132.6 million euros were spent on legal aid, which represents an increase of 50% in the last ten years.

The Minister of Justice explained that legal aid is for those who do not have the financial means to pay for themselves, and can translate into the right to a lawyer, but also expertise from the National Institute of Legal Medicine, translation or interpretation services or mediation and arbitration.

Instead of being in person and on paper, this request is now available on the Direct Social Security page, which, in the opinion of the Minister of Justice, will also result in a faster functioning of Justice.

Minister Ana Mendes Godinho also pointed out that in seven years, access to the Direct Social Security page went from 16 million uses in 2015 to 134 million in 2022.

17 countries including Portugal join forces to prevent chemical terrorism on European soil.

Lisbon, Feb 27, 2023 (Lusa) – The PSP participated in an international counterterrorism operation promoted by Europol, in which 120 contents were identified, in five languages, from terrorism support networks, including jihadists with diverse tendencies and affiliations, was announced today.

The PSP said in a statement that the data obtained in the international operation, centred on tracking the circulation of information on high-risk chemicals, led to the triggering of protocols with providers of ‘online’ services to ensure the rapid removal of this content and the initiation of a research on their origin.

The conclusions of the operation, carried out on February 21 and involving 17 countries, will contribute, according to the PSP, “to the analysis of the current situation of threats from high-risk chemical products, which is part of the impact assessment carried out by the European Commission”.

The operation set the objective of restricting access to ‘online’ instructions/information on how to use high-risk chemicals in terrorist attacks.

The PSP explains that, through the Departments of Weapons and Explosives (DAE) and Criminal Investigation/Cybercrime Nucleus and the Special Police Unit/Centre for Inactivation of Explosive Devices and Underground Security, a “systematic analysis of the “clear ” and “dark web” (the so-called ‘clear web’ is the Internet for public and general use, while the ‘dark web’ is the part of the Internet that works based on the anonymity of users and the concealment of communication channels, being used for clandestine or illicit purposes) to identify and promote the removal of content about the use of high-risk chemical products and toxic gases resulting from their use, contained both on ‘sites’ and ‘online’ forums”.

Portugal’s participation in this operation was ensured by the PSP as a national authority with specific attributions in licensing, control and supervision of the manufacture, storage, marketing, use and transport of weapons, ammunition and explosive and similar substances (which do not belong or are intended for the Armed Forces). Armed Forces and other security forces and services), the police force also informed.

Participating countries were: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Spain, the United Kingdom

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 1st March 2023

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all wherever you are along the Algarve or further afield. This week marks the one year anniversary of the War in Ukraine and the Algarve has been in the forefront of supporting those Ukrainians who were displaced when the war started, As a way of honouring all Ukrainians affected by the effects of the war, but also all those who have collaborated in helping their people, the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal organised a gathering of supporters in several Portuguese cities.

Whilst the region has always had a level of crime which is below many other places it is significant that over the past few months of reporting we are seeing a lot more drug captures across the region by the authorities than we have seen in previous years. This report sees another tranche of reports of drug offences as well as violent crimes.

One does of course have to put this in perspective and whilst it is still a concern it is still a generally peaceful place to live and work. As we move closer to the summer season with the news that Easter bookings are above expectations we should all be mindful that the influx of tourists to the region also brings with it the influx of those who seek to exploit the vulnerable in a criminal context.

Here are some of the stories which have happened over the past week in the region.

Two Arrested in Big Drug Bust Operation in Guadiana

The GNR , in collaboration with the Spanish Guardia Civil, detained on Wednesday at the mouth of the Guadiana River two men, aged 19 and 52, and seized two boats and about a hundred bales of hashish, it was announced today.

In a statement, the GNR refers that the operation was carried out as part of the surveillance of the coast and the fight against drug trafficking by sea, having seized a high-speed vessel, 12 metres long and with three engines, approximately 100 bales of hashish, and a five-metre pleasure craft with “a high-powered engine”.“Following an alert from the Guardia Civil surveillance teams to a high-speed vessel, steps were taken that allowed the interception, with the collaboration of the patrolling and maritime interception team of the Coastal Control sub-detachment of Vila Real de Santo António” , reads up on the note.

According to the GNR, the suspected vessel was already dry when the military arrived at the scene, without a crew on board and in Spanish territory, and the agents verified “the presence of small vessels in the vicinity, which sought to start an escape from the GNR by sea. ”.

The Coastal Control Unit (UCC) of the GNR, through the Coastal Control sub-detachment of Vila Real de Santo António, intercepted one of these vessels, flying the Spanish flag, with two suspected crew members.

 

Man Arrested for Shooting Homeowner during a Break In

The Judiciary Police (PJ) arrested a man suspected of having shot another man, on the 23rd, in Faro, causing serious injuries that led to his hospitalisation at the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve ( CHUA ) .

In a statement, the PJ indicated that the crime took place in the early hours of last Thursday, the 23rd, inside the victim’s residence, which the 42-year-old suspect had gained access to by means of a break-in. According to the police, following the investigation “it was possible to determine that the 38-year-old victim was shot with a firearm while sleeping”.

The victim “suffered injuries that, due to their severity, led to his being taken to the CHUA, where he remains hospitalised”, specified the police. During the police investigation, evidence was collected that led to the arrest of the presumed perpetrator of the crime, said the PJ.

The detainee, indicted for the crime of attempted Murder will be presented to the court to be heard in the first judicial interrogation and to apply any coercive measures.

Man’s Body found in Sea at Olhao

The body of a 62-year-old man of Mozambican nationality was found this Sunday floating in the fishing port of Olhão, according to the National Maritime Authority (AMN )

After being alerted by a member of the public, at 9:30 am, the authorities mobilized the Maritime Police and members of the Olhão Lifeguard Station, who removed the body from the water. The Captain of the Port of Olhão, Alexandre Algarvio, said that “the body was identified” through documentation that was in his possession.

“We were able to identify the body. He is a 62-year-old man of Mozambican nationality and residing in Olhão”, she explained. According to the same source, the body “did not show visible signs of violence, the causes of death being unknown”.

The corpse was transported to the Instituto Médico-Legal in Faro to determine the causes of death.

87-year-old Man Kidnapped, Robbed and Assaulted in Olhão 

An 87-year-old man was kidnapped, assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in Olhão this week. The victim was driving his car in the city when he was approached by two men and a woman.

As reported by TVI this Wednesday, the suspects got into the victim’s car, threatened him with a gun and made him travel five kilometres to a plot of land in the parish of Moncarapacho .The suspects kept the victim’s hands tied and after stealing 400 euros, they stripped him from the waist down to attack him. The suspects fled on foot and are being sought by authorities.

The GNR went to the scene, but since a firearm was used to threaten the victim, the case was passed on to the Judiária Police of Faro, which is already investigating the case.

The victim, who was left with minor injuries, refused medical assistance.

36 People, Including 4 Children, Rescued After A Tourist Boat Sank

A group of 36 people, 4 of which were children, were rescued earlier this week after the tourist boat they were on sank, just off the coast at Lagoa near the Alfanzina lighthouse.

The passengers, all wearing life jackets, were rescued from the sea by the Ferragudo Lifeguard Station, and transported to the Clube Naval de Portimão for medical assistance. Nobody suffered any injuries.

The alert was received by the local Maritime Police around 1:30 pm on Monday, and a group of boats were sent to the location to carry out the rescue, which took place effectively and without the need for any victim to receive hospital assistance.

“There were 36 people on board, including two crew members and four children. As soon as the incident was received, resources from the Maritime Policy, Ferragudo Lifeguard Station and other maritime-tourist vessels were sent to the location. When they arrived, the people all had their vests on and were pulled out of the water,” said the port captain.

After being given a clean bill of health, the passengers were taken in a bus provided by the Portimão City Council to the hotels where they were staying.

Fifty operatives participated in the operation, supported by 18 vehicles and three boats, one for firefighters, another for the Maritime Police and one for the Ferragudo Lifeguard Station and several other maritime-tourist boats, the port captain said. Questioned about the reason for the boat sinking, the port captain confirmed that an investigation will be opened to determine the causes.

To end this report we bring some good news for all residents of the Algarve.

German Foundation Donates more than One Million Euros to CHUA

The Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve (CHUA) received this Wednesday, the 22nd, a donation from the Dieter Morszeck Foundation in the amount of one million and 500 thousand euros, announced the hospital centre.

The donation from the German foundation will support “structuring projects for the CHUA”, of which the Center for Pediatric Development and Intensive Rehabilitation, the new structure for the creation of the Center for Medically Assisted Procreation (PMA) and multiple improvements in field of Ophthalmology. According to Ana Varges Gomes, Chairman of the Board of Directors, “this donation will benefit, above all, projects linked to the area of ​​paediatrics, from the Pediatric Development Center to Medically Assisted Procreation, such as the areas of physiotherapy for children with some type of of pathology and equipment that make it possible to make diagnoses that, until now, were not possible”. The objective is that “ children can complete their therapeutic journey in the Algarve, without having to leave the region. In other words, empowering the region to treat our children better”, she says.

The Foundation’s president, Dieter Morszeck, stressed “the importance of being able to help children, who are our future. With this project we are going to make some dreams come true and I am very proud to be able to help you”. With investments in several sectors, all over the world, this is the second project in the health area in Portugal supported by Dieter Morszeck.

Alexander Rathenau, honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, also highlighted the initiative as “an example of the partnership between Portugal and Germany”, thanking the Foundation and the Board of Directors for the donation “for the fact that they accepted this challenge” and took “forward projects”.

The presentation of the objectives of this protocol was in charge of the executive member of the Board of Directors, Paulo Neves, who underlined the responsibility of receiving a donation that has the deadline of February 2024 and that “is focused on young people and childhood , but which is transversal to all CHUA units and intends to give everyone a better opportunity for the future”. “For each euro now donated, CHUA will have to make the same amount of investment, doubling the amount”, he said.

Until the next time Stay Safe.

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 22nd February 2023

Weather and dust update

The concentration of dust that has come from North Africa will remain in the Region until tomorrow. The dust has been in the Region for a week.

The cold weather will be back and snowfall is likely to happen.

The foggy weather will remain until Friday, although it is unlikely to be as strong as it was on February 13th, which had caused flight restrictions at Madeira International Airport.

Another drug trafficking arrest

The PSP Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública) arrested a 53 year-old male resident from the Municipality of Machico for drug trafficking offences. He was arrested while selling a psychoactive substance called “bloom”. A further 10 doses of “bloom” and 17 doses of heroin were also found and apprehended during a search of his home. A mobile phone and 4 watches that were linked to drug trafficking were also apprehended.

The Madeira Regional Command of the PSP reiterated the commitment of the PSP in the fight against drug trafficking and highlighted that this was the 7th drug trafficking arrest in the Machico area, in the last few months.

Binter flights between Madeira and Porto Santo to continue

Binter announced it will sign a contract to continue to provide inter-island flights between Madeira and Porto Santo. Miguel Albuquerque, the President of the Madeira Regional Government, expressed his happiness with this development. This contract will be signed tomorrow.

Cider making in Madeira

Miguel Albuquerque visited a cider maker at Quinta da Moscadinha, in Camacha and praised the investment in cider making and said that it has created new jobs. He said that although cider had been “mistreated” for several years, it is now becoming more popular.  A cider maker in Santo da Serra produced 36,000 litres of cider in 2022, another cider maker in Prazeres was in operation in the same year, and a cider maker will soon start operations in Jardim da Serra. The aim is to grow the cider industry. He gave the example of the rum industry, in which sales increased from €3M to nearly €5M. He also said Madeira Wine had also become more popular, with sales worth more than €22M. He thanked those who had kept the plantation of peaches and apples in Madeira.

 Over 4,000 Madeiran youths took part in Erasmus Program

It was revealed that 4,080 Madeiran youths took part in the European Union’s Erasmus Program projects in 2022. They were worth a total of €3.8M. Most of the projects took place in Italy or Turkey, although there was also significant demand for destinations such as Eastern Europe, France, Germany, Greece, and Spain.

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

February 22nd – 09h00 to 13h00 (TODAY)

– Rua do Lazareto (including “Estabelecimento Vila Mar”)

CÂMARA DE LOBOS

February 22nd – 14h00 to 16h00 (TODAY)

– Estrada João Gonçalves Zarco

– Rua do Alto da Torre

– Rua do Frei Pedro da Guarda

– Vereda da Junqueira

FUNCHAL

February 22nd – 23h00 to 00h00 & February 23rd – 00h00 to 03h00

– Rua do Bom Jesus (number 4)

– Rua 31 de Janeiro (numbers 53 to 60)

FUNCHAL

February 23rd – 09h00 to 11h30

– Estrada dos Marmeleiros (number 155)

– Rua do Arieiro (number 10)

– Caminho dos Saltos (numbers 171 to 212)

– Caminho do Arieiro (numbers 16 to 58)

– Travessa da Casa Branca (number 4)

– Travessa da Cova do Monte (number 12)

– Beco dos Ausentes (number 43)

– Beco da Brangala (numbers 1 to 7)

– Beco do Chapeludo (number 11)

– Escadas do Feijão (numbers 2 to 33)

– Escadinhas dos Saltos (numbers 1 to 15)

– Estrada Monumental (numbers 506, 510, 512 and 550)

– Levada dos Piornais (numbers 332, 336, 339, 341, 371 and 373)

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 22nd February 2023

Good Morning – For those of you who visited the carnivals, either on Sunday or yesterday I hope you had an enjoyable time, with not too much dust around.

On Monday the Directorate-General for Health issued a health warning concerning poor air quality. with an increase in concentrations of inhalable particles of natural origin in the air affecting, namely, the regions of Alentejo, Algarve and the interior of the Centre Region. Thus, and as long as this phenomenon continues, DGS advised that the general population should limit outdoor physical activity and exposure to risk factors such as tobacco smoke and contact with irritating products with special precautions for children and those who are vulnerable.

Thankfully, at least on Tuesday afternoon the main effects of the Sahara dust which has been prominent over the last week were beginning to disperse.

On Monday a maritime-tourist vessel, with 36 people on board, including four children, sank following an entry of water on board while sailing about 600 meters from the coast, south of the Alfanzina Lighthouse, in the municipality of Lagoon. Thankfully resulting from a quick response by members of the Local Command of the Maritime Police of Portimão and the Lifeguard Station of Ferragudo as well as the assistance of several maritime-tourist vessels in the area everyone on board were rescued. Excellent work by the emergency services.

There was plenty of speculation on social media as to the cause of the incident, such as rough seas for example, but this will only be determined after an investigation, which will be undertaken as is the case for all maritime accidents of this nature. The sinking of a pleasure boat is however exceptionally unusual.

As we are coming towards the end of February, for those living in rural areas it is the time to start preparing for rural fires, something many of us in rural areas have to live with. Although as of today the number of fires so far this year is far lower than last year, we have a long way to go and now is the start preparation work to reduce their impact. We will be providing advice on this topic over the coming weeks, through our Facebook pages, our newsletter, KissFm radio and in the media.

Although this applies to all rural areas there are some at higher risk and for last year they can be found here. This list is updated by the ICNF annually and a new list is expected to be published soon. However, it is likely to be similar to last year with around one thousand parishes listed.

At this time of the year the most important action is to ensure your property around your property is cleaned to 50 metres from the building itself not from the perimeter wall/fence. This does not mean removing everything in-sight, but simply reducing vegetation to reduce the risk of a fire in the area reaching your home. Most importantly is to ensure that roof guttering’s are clear of leaves and that there are no overhanging trees! If so then now is the time to take action to reduce the risk.

It is important that neighbouring land, if within 50 metres of your house is also cleaned, so now is the time to have a friendly chat with your neighbour. In March checks will be undertaken by the GNR particularly in high risk areas so it is best to be prepared rather than leave to the last minute.

Also especially for those of you living in high risk areas, including areas previously affected by rural fires to have an action plan in place in the event of a fire, ensure you have an emergency kit in a handy place and the emergency contact list should you need to contact 112 in an emergency is prominently displayed. It can be downloaded here:

If you are letting a property, then sure that your clients are aware of these actions and if your area is part of the Safe Village – Safe People program they are aware of escape routes and assembly points in the event of a fire.

Monitoring weather conditions is vitally important as well as understanding the risk factors that dictate the potential intensity of fires. Having attended a meeting of an international gathering of the FirEUrisk program (which Safe Communities is a member of) a few days ago it was disturbing to seeing some the effects of fires during the extreme heatwave several European countries, including Portugal, experience last year. It is essential in such conditions fires are dealt with within the earliest stages as once they reach a certain intensity, conventional firefighting by using water hoses has little or no impact, as water evaporates before reaching the target – a sobering thought!

We will be creating more awareness on these topics in due course.

Our team wishes you a safe week ahead.

News

Important announcement for those visiting Spain

New system of alerting people in case of emergencies and catastrophes starts midnight tonight 21st February 2023

An issue we have been concerned about for some time is if you are travelling through Spain or a visitor to that country how would you be informed if there is a major emergency or catastrophe in the area where you are or planning to visit.

It is a matter which we have taken up directly with Spanish Mistry of Interior recently through a forum which we attend concerning rural fires.

Anyway we were informed today of the development effective midnight tonight which has been in the planning and pilot stages for some time.

The SPANISH SYSTEM

‘112 reverse’: your mobile will notify you in case of emergency or catastrophe

The system of warnings to the population in case of emergencies classified as ‘112 reverse’, will be operational from February 22 throughout the national territory.

The ES-Alert alert system , which allows general and immediate alert messages to be sent to mobile phones located in an area affected by an emergency or catastrophe, will enter service throughout Spain starting at midnight on Tuesday, February 21 (00:00 this Wednesday), for management from all the Emergency Centers of the autonomous communities and of Ceuta and Melilla.

WHAT IS ‘112 REVERSE’?

This system, integrated into the National Alert Network, is managed by the Ministry of the Interior through the National Emergency Monitoring and Coordination Centre (CENEM) of the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies.

“The activation of this procedure will allow a much faster and more effective response to particularly serious situations that may have a direct impact on the population,” say sources from the Ministry of the Interior.

Alerts will be sent automatically to all mobile phones in the affected area, a process known as ‘reverse 112’.

It is available anywhere in Spain with mobile phone coverage, be it 2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE) or 5G.

All state, regional or local public administrations that can contribute to the detection, monitoring and forecasting of threats of imminent danger to people and goods, will notify the situation to CENEM so that this body can generate a generalized and immediate alert in the area of risk.

The warning will make it easier for the population to protect themselves against phenomena such as floods, fires, adverse meteorological phenomena, volcanic or chemical accidents, among other emergencies.

COMMENT

It states ALL phone users so should include travellers as does SMS messages from the ANEPC in Portugal

Frontex agency starts training for future agents in Portugal

Lisbon, 21 Feb 2023 (Lusa) – Portugal will host starting yesterday, a training course by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) aimed at agents from several countries who will join the permanent staff of Frontex.

In a statement, the National Maritime Authority (AMN) refers that the Frontex agency, in conjunction with the AMN and with the support of the Portuguese Navy, today started the training program of the “Basic Training Program for the European Standing Corps Category 1” aimed at agents who will form part of the permanent staff of that European Union border control agency.

AMN mentions that the course will be taught at the Maritime Authority School, until November 19 of this year, by a team of trainers from Frontex and will have the participation of 50 students of different nationalities from the Schengen Area, including Portuguese students.

The AMN also indicates that, for the second consecutive year, Portugal is the country chosen to provide this training, “a proof of trust and recognition by the European authorities of Frontex and will constitute a significant challenge for the AMN and for the Navy, which will have the support of other national external entities”.

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday February 22nd 2023

4.1 earthquake on the Richter scale felt off the island of Santa Maria in the Azores 

An earthquake of 4.1 on the Richter scale was felt on the island of Santa Maria, in Vila do Porto, São Pedro, Almagreira and Santo Espírito, revealed today the Civil Protection.

On the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service website, it is reported that the earthquake was recorded by the Azores  Information and Surveillance Centre (CIVISA), at 22:40 local time on Monday (23:40 in Lisbon) , with an epicentre about 51 kilometres east of Santo Espírito, on the island of Santa Maria, located in the eastern group of the Azorean archipelago.

“According to the information available so far, the earthquake was felt with maximum intensity III/IV (Modified Mercalli Scale) in Vila do Porto, São Pedro, Almagreira and Santo Espírito (municipality of Vila do Porto)”, adds the Protection Civil.

The Modified Mercalli Scale measures the “degrees of intensity and respective description” and, when there is an intensity of IV, considered “Moderate”, “parked cars shake”, “windows, doors and dishes shake” and “glasses and dishes collide or jingle”, walls or wooden structures can creak, reveals the Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on its website.

With intensity III, considered Weak, the shock is “felt inside the house” and “the hanging objects sway”, feeling a “vibration similar to that caused by the passage of heavy vehicles”, according to the IPMA.

Azores promote literary contest in mother tongue for immigrants. 

A literary contest will distinguish original literary texts in the Azores, written in the mother tongue of immigrants residing in the region, an initiative that aims to promote “interculturality” and “greater knowledge about the different communities existing in the archipelago”, was announced today.

The literary contest “Saudades da Terra”, in the area of ​​immigration, is promoted by the regional directorate of the Communities, in partnership with the air carrier SATA Azores Airlines, as part of the celebrations of the International Mother Language Day, marked annually on February 21st.

According to a press release published on the Regional Government’s website, the initiative is aimed at all immigrants residing in the Azores.

The works in competition must be “texts in any literary genre, original and unpublished”, which address “the personal perspective of the competitors, with a minimum age of 18, about the host society”, adds the Azorean Government (PSD/CDS- PP/PPM).

The competition aims to promote interculturality and encourage greater knowledge about the different communities and nationalities existing in the archipelago, through the production of literary texts, written in their mother tongue, which convey the vision of their authors about the Azores.

The winner will be awarded an airline ticket for two people, departing from any Azorean airport to all destinations operated by SATA Azores Airlines.

Applications must be sent by April 21, 2023, using a form to the email address ‘ saudadesdaterra.drc@azores.gov.pt ‘.

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 and later recognized by the UN in 2002, with the aim of “protecting and safeguarding all languages ​​spoken in the world, honouring cultural traditions and respecting linguistic diversity”, stresses the Directorate Regional Communities.

Iberia with flights from Ponta Delgada in summer 

Spanish airline Iberia is planning flights between Faro and Ponta Delgada in the summer of 2023.

Antonio Linares, sales director for Iberia in Spain and Portugal, has said that he is “moderately optimistic” for 2023 and that the airline wants to maintain its commitment to the Portuguese market. Thus, for Portugal, the Spanish airline wants to maintain a “broad and stable flight schedule” this year.

In the summer of 2023, normal operations will continue from Lisbon, Porto and Funchal, but Iberia destinations will also be reached from Faro and Ponta Delgada; more details will be revealed soon, guarantees

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 22 February 2023

– by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and in a week where we saw so many smiling faces at the return of Carnival across the Algarve we also saw the news in the past couple of days was the accident with a pleasure cruise boat off Portimao where 36 people had to be rescued from the water. Luckily no one was injured but this does remind us that as we get further into the spring and summer there will be more and more people taking to the water and it is very important that people are aware of the risks involved and what to do to counteract these risks. Our website has a lot of good information about safety and security on both beaches and while on the ocean and although we have it under our tourist area it is something we should  all be  aware of as we know that it is not just tourists who enjoy the many different activities on offer along the Algarve beaches. For more information go to this link: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/for-tourists/

 Now lets take a look at what else has been happening in the last week.

Man Arrested for Suspected Sexual Assault of a Minor.

The Judicial police have arrested a 27 year old man in the Algarve, suspected of sexually abusing a minor, his 12 year old cousin. The defendant’s had violated terms of his arrest warrant in Santarém, fleeing and hiding in the Algarve region, where he was later located.

“The incidents took place between the summer of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, with the man taking advantage of moments alone with his female 12 year old cousin, while family were in close proximity”. The defendant lived in the same house as the victim., but according to a police source, the complaint eventually came from the minor and later from family members.

The PJ explained that, “at the time of the complaint, the accused voluntarily presented himself at the police station, denying the facts”.

“Once the investigations were completed, all the incidents denounced were confirmed, so efforts were made to bring the accused to court, which was delayed because of the man fleeing to hide in the Algarve.

The man is a foreign citizen, with no criminal record in Portugal, but is now detained for 15 crimes of sexual abuse of children.

Senegalese Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

A 32 year old Senegalese man has been arrested, suspected of a murder committed on the night of February 12th 2023, in Portimão.

The case involves two foreigners who shared the same house in Portimão for several months. According to the PJ, “conflicts were recurrent “. Following an argument on February 12th, “provoked for a futile reason and triggered by excessive alcohol consumption, the arrested man, armed with a razor, stabbed the victim in the neck area, causing her death”.

After an investigation initiated by the PSP, and in conjunction with the PJ, it was possible to collect evidence, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect, who was working as a bricklayer in the local area.

Large Drug Seizure and 3 People in Portimao

After an investigation that has been going on for about a year, the GNR have detained two men, and seized 14,000 doses of drugs, most of which were found in the storage room belonging to one of the detainees, in Portimão.

 

In a statement released today, the National Republican Guard (GNR) announced that, yesterday, they arrested two men, aged 51 and 53, and accused a woman, aged 38, of drug trafficking.The 51-year-old lives in Porto Covo, in Sines, while the other detainee, the 53-year-old, lives in Portimão with the accused woman.

 

The seized narcotics consisted of 7,367 doses of cocaine, 5,761 doses of heroin and 907 doses of hashish, with the GNR also seizing 16,155 euros in cash.

After searching the detainees’ homes, the GNR also seized four vehicles, “two in Porto Covo and two in Portimão”, five mobile phones, five precision scales and various materials related to drug trafficking.

Vandals on Tractors Cause Damage in Real de Santo Antonio Sports Complex

The Vila Real de Santo António sports complex was the target of a vandalism attack in the early hours of yesterday morning, causing damages of more than 15,000 euros.

The “damage” was made by “two tractors”, “making dangerous manoeuvres inside the municipal stadium”.

It is thought the sports complex was “the target of an attempted theft” using tractors to break in, but also causing “damage on the athletics track, on the lawns, in the vegetation and to the equipment and training areas”.

“The municipality of Vila Real de Santo António has strongly condemned the acts of vandalism, reporting the case to the authorities, with whom they are collaborating to find those responsible.

Assessment of the damage was carried out yesterday morning by councillor Álvaro Leal, who is in charge of the sports complex.

In a statement councillor Álvaro Leal said that municipal officials are “seriously committed to stopping this type of vandalism” and stressed that the equipment in question is one of the “most important in the municipality”, being “used daily by hundreds of athletes” that carry out sports internships in the county.

“In addition to strengthening surveillance, the municipality will extend the video surveillance system to the entire perimeter of the equipment, in order to stop future episodes of vandalism and protect the infrastructure”, said the councillor.

And to end this report we remind everyone that the Covid 19 virus is still amongst us all, be it not in the same severity as we saw in the past couple of years. The average number of infections, on average over five days, rose from 188 to 244 daily cases nationwide, being lower on the continent (199).

In the weekly report issued by INSA on the evolution of cases of covid-19 in the country, the RT rate, which is the rate at which infection spreads across the country, was at 1.12. The Rt – which estimates the number of secondary cases of infection resulting from each person carrying the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – thus increased from 0.99 to 1.12 at the national level.

However, the Algarve has the highest secondary infection rate on continental Portugal at 1.36 and is only lower than the Azores.

The data shows that the indicator is above 1.00 in all regions of the country, with the North registering 1.13, the Center 1.01, Lisbon and the Tagus Valley 1.14, the Alentejo 1.07 ,the Azores 1.43 and Madeira 1.28.

“In the European comparison, Portugal has a 14-day cumulative notification rate of between 20 and 59.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and an Rt greater than 1, that is, a reduced notification rate with an increasing trend”, says INSA.

Until the next time Stay Safe.