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Situation Reports news and reviews

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 7th September 2022

by Mike Evans

Good morning, as we start to enter a cooler period we are pleased to report that the number of rural fires in the region are very small compared to previous months. Also some good news for the residents of the Vale De Venda,Near Loule, is that the refuse dump which had been burning since the Gambelas fire in July has now been extinguished. It is worth noting however, that whilst we are entering a cooler period of weather the ground is still very dry and we must all remain vigilant against the sudden spark which can start a fire.

In other news from the Region, 

Portimao, has taken delivery of 10 new electric buses to work in and around the city.

The first ten electric buses that will reinforce the Vai e Vem – Transportes Urbanos de Portimão fleet start operating this Tuesday, August 30th. According to the municipality , this is “the first step of an ambitious project” that in 2023 will be expanded with eight more identical vehicles.

In the presentation of the vehicles, Ricardo Afonso, administrator of Sandbus Transportes, the Vai e Vem concessionaire, in partnership with Vamus Algarve , highlighted the municipal commitment to energy efficiency, considering it “an honour to start in Portimão, and in a massive way, the introduction of of electric vehicles in the Algarve region”, for which the company will invest around three million and 600 thousand euros.

Isilda Gomes, president of Portimão City Council, praised the company for complying with the rules of the tender, “which does not always happen”, and pointed out that this option results from the “paradigm shift in energy terms, of extreme importance at the time when that climate change is the order of the day.”

“From now on, 40 percent of the Vai e Vem fleet, made up of 26 vehicles, is already electric and when the remaining eight buses start operating, we will reach 70 percent, most likely a rare case in Portuguese municipalities” , stressed the mayor.

In his words, “this is a very decisive first step in the fight against climate change, as we have to look after the future and the future involves zero emissions.”

Each bus will have a range of around 280 kilometres, and an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of around 675 tonnes is expected to be achieved.

Man arrested with cocaine and heroin in Lagoa

A 40-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday, August 31, in Lagoa , for drug trafficking, announced the National Republican Guard ( GNR ). The arrest was made by the Faro Territorial Command, through the Lagoa Territorial Post, as part of a general policing action.

When the military inspected a vehicle, it was found that the driver was behaving suspiciously.

During this inspection, the driver was asked to get out of the vehicle and when he got up he ended up dropping the narcotic product on the floor, which led to a personal search and search of the vehicle.

116.30 doses of heroin, 69.35 doses of cocaine, 59.35 doses of crack, three cell phones and several SIM cards, a car and 1421.77 euros in cash were seized.

The suspect appeared for the first interrogation at the Judicial Court in Portimao.

Nine arrested for carob theft in Salir and Boliqueime

Nine men were arrested and another five identified on August 31 and September 1 in Salir and Boliqueime, in the municipality of Loulé , for theft of carob, announced the National Republican Guard (GNR).

150 kilos of carob were also seized, in an action carried out by the Faro Territorial Command, through the Loulé and Salir Territorial Posts, which arrested the suspects in the act, aged between 17 and 38 years.

After complaints about thefts of carob on agricultural land, the GNR went to the places described and detected the suspects in the act, later finding out with the landowners that the individuals were not authorised to collect carob beans.On August 31, the military at the Salir Territorial Post detained three men in the town of Besteiros, having seized 105 kilos of carob.

On 1 September, the military at the Loulé Territorial Post arrested six men and seized 45 kilos of carob.

On the same day, five individuals were also identified who were stealing carob, which was later handed over to its owner.The detainees were made arguidos and the facts were reported to the Loulé Judicial Court. 

Rota do Petisco reaches 220 establishments across 11 Algarve municipalities

The 2022 edition of Rota do Petisco will take place from September 14 to October 16 with the participation of 220 establishments from 11 Algarve municipalities, the Albufeira City Council said this Monday .

Aljezur , Vila do Bispo, Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Lagoa, Silves, Albufeira, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira are the municipalities that will have establishments offering a snack menu (snack and drink) of 3.5 euros and a sweet menu (dessert and drink) at 2.5 euros.

The initiative, organised by the non-profit association Teia D’Impulsos (Portimão), is a cultural and recreational project that aims to promote local restaurants and commerce, as well as regional Algarve gastronomy, with a solidarity aspect this year. dedicated to youth.

In the European Year of Youth, the value of the passport that gives access to the event of 1.5 euros goes entirely to six institutions and projects in the region that fight social, racial and/or gender discrimination, promote the mental health of young people and encourage youth volunteering.

CCTV Cameras installed In Portimao and Praia da Rocha

The first 36 video surveillance cameras in Portimão and Praia da Rocha began to be installed earlier this month, the municipality announced.

The priority focuses on the entrances to the city and in the area of ​​bars in Praia da Rocha, as defined in a study carried out by the Public Security Police (PSP) and after a protocol signed between the municipality and the Ministry of Internal Administration.

In Praia da Rocha, the cameras were installed on the pedestrian path next to the cliffs, from Rotunda da Fonte to Avenida Tomás Cabreira.The municipality is responsible for the infrastructure and the acquisition of equipment, whose network may be extended in the future to other areas of the city.

PSP will be the only entity with access to the images in order to guarantee the safety of people and goods, with a system that prevents the capture of images in sensitive places such as private homes.

The municipality assumed the full costs of 563,799.49 euros, which include the installation and maintenance of the entire system and the training of agents who will operate the chambers.

In addition to the cameras, wi-fi antennas were also installed, which will offer free internet access to the entire population and 50 kilometres of optical fibre throughout the municipality, which represents an investment of around 275 thousand euros.

GNR Arrest 9 People in Albufeira for Drug offences

Between the 1st and 4th of September, the GNR detained nine men aged between 20 and 41, on suspicion of drug trafficking, in the municipality of Albufeira .

In the course of several policing actions, the Guard ‘s military carried out police investigations that culminated in the arrest of nine men involved in the trafficking of narcotic products. These actions culminated in the seizure of various material, namely 158 doses of cocaine; 49 doses of hashish; three cannabis plants; a vehicle; a bag of plant substrate and three sprayers.The detainees were made arguidos and the facts sent to the Albufeira Judicial Court.

The actions included the reinforcement of the Public Order Intervention Group (GIOP) of the Intervention Unit (UI).

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 7th September 2022

– From our colleague in the Azores

Covid-19 

In the seven days from Friday 26th August until Thursday 1st September there were 296 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 1,975 tests performed. 436 people have recovered, and no new deaths have been recorded with the total still at 117 There are 305 active cases, 141 fewer than the previous week.

There are 16 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 2nd September with Covid, 2 patients are in hospital because of Covid. There is one patient in the ICU.

119825 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 49% of the population.

GNR identifies eight people and 24 vehicles for “illegal rent-a-car” in the Azores 

The GNR identified, in the Azores, between 1st and 31st of August, eight men who “promoted the illegal rental of passenger vehicles” and located 24 vehicles without permission for rent-a-car activity.

Hurricane Danielle does not pass through the Azores but should cause rain and wind 

Hurricane Danielle will not cross the Azores and should lose its tropical characteristics, but an associated frontal system can cause rain and wind in the archipelago with gusts on Friday and Saturday.

In a statement, the Centre for Forecasting and Meteorological Surveillance of the Azores of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) explains that “in the next 72 hours”, the hurricane “loses its tropical characteristics, becoming an extratropical depression with an associated frontal system”.

The passage of this frontal system in the Azores, on Friday and Saturday, should “cause some precipitation and wind with gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour”, he adds.

According to the IPMA, today, at 15:00, Hurricane Danielle, category 1 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, “was 1,475 kilometres west-northwest (WNW) of the Azores”.

“Hurricane Danielle will move slowly to the north-northeast (NNE), not crossing the Azores Archipelago”, concludes the IPMA.

On Sunday, the IPMA reported that Tropical Cyclone Danielle had intensified, becoming a Category 1 hurricane again, but “a little further away from the archipelago”.

The Saffir-Simpson scale is used to measure the intensity of a hurricane and ranges from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most intense.

Azores Region Resolution 

The Azores region has fallen in line with the rest of the country with regards to mask wearing.  The region stays at ‘Alert’ level.  The resolution can be seen here:- https://jo.azores.gov.pt/#/ato/ce426ca6-a03f-4427-879d-b57168245207

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 31st August 2022

Good morning – The highlight of the week, (certainly dominating the media yesterday) was the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, presenting her resignation to the Prime Minister because she “understands that she is no longer able to remain in office”, according to a note sent by the ministry to newsrooms.

Her resignation, is the first ‘weight loss’ in the XXIII Constitutional Government, which took office exactly five months ago, on March 30th.

In response, “The Prime Minister gave thanks for all the work developed by Dr. Marta Temido, especially in the exceptional period of combating the COVID19 pandemic. The Prime Minister, António Costa, admitted today that the death of a pregnant woman transferred from Hospital de Santa Maria was the “final straw” that led to the resignation of the Minister of Health. The Government will continue the ongoing reforms with a view to strengthening the SNS and improving the health care provided to the Portuguese.”

Marta Temido began her duties as Minister of Health in October 2018 and was minister during the last three executives led by socialist António Costa. During her mandates, Marta Temido was at the centre of the management of the pandemic, which began in 2020, but also went through several controversies. Recently, the closure of emergency obstetrics services in several hospitals due to a lack of doctors to fill the scales put pressure on the ministry.

The minister who became the most popular in the Government could it would appear no longer stand up to the pressure. Her departure comes at a time when many of the issues and problems, for instances staff shortages, retention of professionals, left over from pandemic are now emerging, as there are in many health systems overseas. The succession of clinical cases with political collage will continue to make headlines over the coming months, exploited by other political parties and other groups.

The prime minister made it known that Marta Temido’s succession will not be immediate. In part, the meaning of this statement is unclear: does the minister remain in day-to-day management? In part, it means that a substantive decision on a new team at the Ministry of Health is expected.

The prime minister said that he hopes that the outgoing Health Minister, will still choose the executive direction of the SNS and take it to the Council of Ministers, which should meet on September 15. António Costa admitted that he “was not counting” on the resignation and revealed that the death of a pregnant woman on Saturday surpassed the “red line” that she had settled for herself. And he added: “this time”, he had to accept the minister’s request.

The prime minister says he has not yet had time to think of a replacement for Marta Temido and insists that the minister still present to the Council of Ministers on the 8th or 15th September the regulation of the Statute of the National Health Service (SNS). “It is better to conclude this work that is in progress and then move on with our lives”,

At Safe Communities for over two years we closely monitored every day the development of the pandemic, including the decisions and announcements made by the Minister. Although there were changes and even mistakes that were made, the fact is that she dealt decisively with this unprecedented pandemic, which affected everyone in some shape of form. It would be an extraordinary miracle if, in the midst of the circumstances, everything had always gone according to plan. It was a major crisis and although easy to criticise, her legacy should be that she was a minister who faced up to the challenge and saw it through. The pressure she was under would have been considerable.

Portugal had one of the best performances in the world in the fight against the pandemic recognized by international institutions, a view that was frequently made to us by foreign residents here as well as visitors. If there is any doubt on that point please visit our Covid-19 Positive messages page where you can see some of these. We should be thanking her for her work.

On a different note whereas we have been focusing on fires for some time, it was “a few drops of rain in the Algarve” on Sunday that caught the attention of our Facebook followers. The amount of rain did not materialize as the maps indicated but it did not stop around 120 of you sharing your “rain drop” experiences – the post reaching around 12,000 people. Seriously however, this reflects the desperate need there is for a protracted period of rain to in anyway help address the extreme drought problem in the region.

Even in the north there was generally little rain, and only a few isolated intense rain and hail showers. This is not the type of rain we need, because when it falls on earth which has been parched by the sun for several months, it does not soak in but runs off causing flooding.

News

Marcelo: “I prefer a more autonomous and independent SNS from the Ministry of Health”

President of the Republic declined to comment on Marta Temido’s departure, but revealed his preference for the future of the National Health System.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was present, in a virtual way, at the PSD Summer University, and was questioned by some young people about Marta Temido’s departure. The president of Portugal did not elaborate much on the matter, but made a point of revealing his idea for the National Health System.

“I have a preference, which I haven’t hidden for a long time, about the way the SNS is managed. More autonomous and independent from the Ministry of Health, since a classic form of dependence has shown limits to its effectiveness”, he stressed reiterating once again he did not want to comment on the departure of the Minister of Health.

“As you can imagine, I will not comment on the specific case. As I said in a note that I published today, I am awaiting the exoneration proposal in formal terms and the corresponding proposal for the appointment of a substitute”, limited himself to affirming the head of state.

“I would answer in a different way, so as not to comment on the concrete question [about the future Minister of Health], which I understand is the question of the day, and it is, therefore, your question of the day, but I am not a political analyst and, therefore, I will not respond in this context”, he said.

Marcelo considered that there was “a consensus” that the response to the problems of the health sector “is not ideological”, but “largely organizational and functional”.

The President of the Republic said he expected further clarifications regarding the regulation, namely on the top management scheme, the executive direction of the SNS, and the scheme of combining decentralization and the transfer of regional health administrations to this decentralization scheme.

IGAS will investigate the case of the death of a pregnant woman transferred to São Francisco Xavier

The Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (IGAS) announced this Tuesday that it will institute an inspection of the transfer of the 31-week pregnant woman from the Hospital de Santa Maria to the Hospital de São Francisco Xavier, in Lisbon, “due to an alleged lack of vacancy” in the Neonatology Service of the first hospital unit”.

In a statement sent to the newsrooms, the organization explains that the investigation is intended to understand “the reason why the user was transferred”, “who were responsible for the transfer decision and under what clinical assumptions they ensured that the user could be transferred safely “, “what was the situation of the Neonatology Service of the Hospital de Santa Maria on the date of the patient’s transfer”, “in what circumstances the death occurred” and if “there were alternative and safer solutions to the transference of the patient”.

It should be remembered that the Hospital de Santa Maria clarified this Tuesday that the 34-year-old woman, of Indian nationality, resorted to its emergency department “due to a feeling of shortness of breath and tachycardia” and received all the necessary care.

At the time of the patient’s transfer – which the hospital justifies with the fact that it would be more beneficial for the baby, who suffered from a “growth restriction”, to be born in the place where he can be assisted – the pregnant woman “was stabilized”.

“It is scientifically proven that it is better for the baby to be born in the place where it will be assisted”, explained the doctor, which is why the Neonatology and Obstetrics team decided to transfer her.

“It is not a rare situation. Transfers take place in all hospitals”, he guaranteed, assuring that “it was not at all expected”, given the clinical situation in which the woman left the hospital, that there was a cardiorespiratory arrest.

During the trip, the woman suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest, and resuscitation was performed on the trip. At Hospital São Francisco Xavier “she underwent an urgent cesarean section”, and the newborn was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit “due to prematurity”. Her mother, who was admitted to intensive care, would eventually die. The baby remains hospitalized in the neonatology of Hospital São Francisco Xavier.

Man caught with 360 kilos of drugs to sell in the North region

The Judicial Police (PJ) detained a man suspected of being part of a “criminal structure” of drug trafficking, from whom 360.5 kilos of hashish and liamba were seized to be sold in the North of Portugal

The 31-year-old detainee, with a police record for the same crime, was in preventive detention – a more serious measure of coercion – after being brought to court, the PJ said in a statement.

According to the PJ, the suspect had in his possession 353 kilos of hashish and 7.5 kilos of liamba, a drug that was destined for the national market in the North region, he explained.

“The police action, resulting from intense work to collect information and surveillance of suspects, made it possible to remove substances from circulation that would be used for the preparation of 1,765,000 individual doses of hashish and 37,950 of liamba”, he underlined.

The PJ revealed that investigative efforts will continue to identify and hold others responsible for the “criminal structure” accountable.

 

Situation Report Azores – 31st August 2022 – From our colleague in the Azores

Covid-19 

In the seven days from Friday 19th August until Thursday 25th August there were 433 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 2,109 tests performed. 433 people have recovered, and no new deaths have been recorded with the total still at 117 There are 446 active cases, the same number as the previous week.

There are 8 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 26th August with Covid, 1 patient is in hospital because of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.

119529 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 49% of the population.

Gasoline price in the Azores drops by 15.4 cents and that of diesel 14.3 cents 

The price of gasoline in the Azores will drop by 15.4 cents per litre on Thursday and the price of diesel dropped by 14.3 cents per litre, according to an order published today in the Official Journal.

“Recent variations in the international market in reference prices for oil and energy products justify an adjustment in the Maximum Public Sale Price (PMVP) of IO 95 gasoline, diesel for road use and fuel”, reads the statement. order that sets the maximum prices for the sale to the public of fuels in the Azores, which comes into force on 1stof September.

The price of 95-octane unleaded gasoline is now €1.735 per litre, 15.4 cents less than the amount charged in August (€1.889 per litre).

Diesel now costs 1,602 euros per litre, 14.3 cents less than in August (1,745).

The price of coloured diesel for agriculture and fisheries, as defined in another order, is also reduced by 14.3 cents per litre.

Coloured and marked diesel consumed in agriculture drops from 1,263 euros per litre to 1,120 euros, while coloured and marked diesel consumed in fishing drops from 1,073 euros per litre to 0,930 euros.

Fuel oil with a sulphur content of less than or equal to 1%, when intended for other consumption, supplied in bulk at the distribution companies’ facilities on each island, costs 0.784 euros per kilogram, 0.03 cents less than in the previous month (0.787 euros).

Fuel oil for electricity production, supplied in bulk at the distribution companies’ facilities on each island, is reduced on the island of São Miguel from 780.88 to 777.75 euros/MT and on Terceira from 809.82 to 806, 69 euros/TM.

In Pico it drops from 968.20 to 932.28 euros/TM and in Faial from 954.11 to 918.18 euros/TM.

The price of butane gas sold in bottles, piped or in bulk does not change, ranging from €1,348 per kilogram (in bulk) to €1,618 per kilogram (24-liter bottle, made of lightweight materials, sold to the public, at the point of consumption).

The maximum prices for oil and energy products in the Azores are “changed on the 1st of each month and in amounts equivalent to the variation of the monthly Europe Price (PE)”.

In November 2021, the Regional Government of the Azores reduced the Tax on Petroleum Products (ISP) “by four cents, on 95 gasoline, and by two cents, on diesel for road use”.

Between the 18th and 30th April, it granted “an additional support of 11 cents”, to “mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices on the European market”.

At the end of April, the Azorean executive applied a new ISP reduction by 11 cents, “given the ongoing geopolitical and military conflict in Ukraine, as well as its impact on the increase in raw material prices, especially oil and its derivatives”.

The most recent ISP reduction took place in August, when there was a drop of nine cents for gasoline and 11.3 cents for diesel.

36.6 cents per litre of ISP are now charged for gasoline and 14.2 cents per litre for diesel.

Four people rescued from a sailing boat 574 km from Terceira Island 

Four people were rescued this Sunday from a sailing boat that was sailing 574 kilometres from Terceira Island, in the Azores, revealed the Portuguese Navy.

“The rescue of the four crew was carried out on Sunday by the tanker MT Golar Seal, at 06:56 local time [07:56 in Lisbon]”, the Navy said in a press release.

On board the sailboat SV Satori, which was sailing “574 kilometres north of the island of Terceira”, were “two children and two adults of English and Canadian nationality”.

The rescue coordinated by the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Delgada), in conjunction with the Lajes Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Lajes), began at 23:07 on Saturday.

According to the statement, “several merchant ships and a Portuguese Air Force aircraft” were involved in the operation.

 

Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 31st August 2022

by Mike Evans

Welcome to the last report for the month of August. With the summer nearing its end and the temperature’s starting to drop a little we must all keep our guards up against the chance of a rural fire. In addition we are still seeing more instances of people getting into difficulty whilst swimming and as the air temperature drops so will the sea temperature so it is vital that people are aware of these issues as we go into Autumn.

Here are some stories from across the Algarve which we hope you will find of interest.

More Policing On the Streets is a Wish of Mayor of Vila Real de San Antonio

Álvaro Araújo, Mayor of Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) called on Isabel Oneto, Secretary of State for Internal Administration, to reinforce the policing of the city’s streets. At a conference which the official attended, the mayor announced “the proximity” of the inauguration of the new PSP squadron – an “important and necessary” work, scheduled for October.

The mayor addressed the Secretary of State during the commemorative ceremony of the 135th anniversary of the PSP’s Faro District Command, which took place at the António Aleixo Cultural Centre, in VRSA.

“It is essential to increase policing on the streets, precisely to put into practice the aspects of prevention and education for citizenship, through advice and useful information that agents provide to people. It is about promoting an inclusive attitude, which has long been advocated by agents who patrol the streets”, the mayor reiterated, before an audience with hundreds of members of the PSP and other security forces and other guests.

In response to the president’s request, Isabel Oneto announced the “soon to be” reinforcement of the means available to the police structure in the region and in the municipality in particular: “It was thanks to the programming of the infrastructure and equipment of the security forces that it was possible to program and execute the investment that we will soon inaugurate the new police station in October”, as well as vehicles, weapons and personal protection material”. The official also promised “very soon”, the arrival of new unmarked vehicles and others for the Algarve and the renovation of the Olhão and Portimão police stations.

The Vila Real Mayor recalled that the location of the new structure is justified “by the importance of its strategic location, by its adequate size and by being an emblematic building in the municipality and worthy of installing the police that watches over everyone’s safety”, he lists.

During the solemn ceremony, a cooperation protocol was also signed between the PSP, the University of the Algarve (UAlg) and the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) for the creation of the “Algarve Destino Seguro Program”. The main purpose of the program, according to the PSP, is “to contribute to making the Algarve a safe destination to live, work, study or visit throughout the year”. Representing UAlg was Paulo Águas, dean of the higher education institution and João Fernandes, president of RTA.

Albufeira Mayor Asks citizens to Use Water Sparingly

The mayor of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo, asks the population to use water in a “conscious and parsimonious” way, avoiding waste and remembering that “small gestures” can “save several litres of water per minute”.

“There are small gestures that can make a difference and that allow you to save several litres of water per minute, namely in the use of the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, garden, swimming pools and vegetable gardens”, emphasises José Carlos Rolo quoted in a press release.

The mayor also asks citizens to “whenever they observe” a water rupture in the public network, in landmarks and fire hydrants, safety taps next to metres, misdirected or damaged irrigation sprinklers and improper connections to the supply system. the public should inform municipal services.

The Mayor’s statement then lists a series of measures that this Algarve municipality has been adopting with a view to reducing consumption of water from the public network at a time when the situation of severe drought is ravaging the country and the region.

Among the main measures adopted is the closure of municipal swimming pools during the months of August and September, the closure of ornamental fountains, the use of wastewater for irrigation of public spaces, with irrigation being carried out preferably at night.

Other measures applied range from the implementation of the drip irrigation system, the suspension of irrigation in some sectors of the green spaces, mainly in grass areas, the installation of pressure gauges for monitoring purposes and the reduction of irrigation time in approximately 30% for most locations.

Most of these measures to combat drought in the region have been approved since the beginning of the year at the level of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community.

New Technology Centre Opens Near Portimao

The municipality of Portimão will have a new technological centre dedicated to renewable energies, next to the Algarve International Circuit, under an investment of 7.2 million euros. The opening took place on the 26th of August.

The project presented on Friday, developed by the Associação Parque Tecnológico do Algarve (Celerator), aims to install five high and medium-high technology companies and knowledge-intensive services in that infrastructure by 2024.

In the presentation of the project, the administrator of Parkalgar, which together with the University of the Algarve (UAlg) forms the Celerator association, said that the project will make the “future paths for mobility and sustainability pass through Portimão”.

According to Paulo Pinheiro, the new infrastructure will help the Algarve gain “competitiveness in the area of ​​engineering and new technologies”, at the same time as it will outline “new paths for mobility and sustainability.

Paulo Águas, rector of UAlg, defended that the creation of the new hub “is part of the university’s mission”, an institution that “only benefits from a region that has “a more diversified economy and can generate more qualified work”.

Also present at the ceremony, the chairman of the Committee for Coordination and Regional Development ( CCDR ) of the Algarve, José Apolinário, praised the fact that the new innovation hub is located in a low-density area, in the interior of the municipality of Portimão.

The new Technological Pole in the Transport, Mobility and Energy Solutions sector will be dedicated to research, development and implementation of energy solutions based on green hydrogen and synthetic fuels. Among the objectives of the project is the creation of a technological hub with the construction of facilities, including laboratories and test centres, with the provision of test bench facilities for internal combustion engines with and without hybrid energy systems.

At the same time, it is planned to install modules to investigate the process of creating and implementing fuel cells in conventional means of transport, as well as installing units for recycling, with maximised reuse of end-of-life electrical batteries.

The project also includes the installation of a research and development unit with a component that compares with a conventional unit, for “Otto” Thermal Engines, using synthetic fuels, for diversified uses. In her speech, the Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa, underlined that this is the only technological centre in the country where there is a “living laboratory”, which brings together a track for motor racing and a laboratory in the transport, mobility and energy solutions.

“In this technological hub we already have the last phase of many projects, here we already have the economic activity and future partners that will benefit from the innovation and new solutions of this technological hub”, she stressed.

Albufeira, One of the Municipalities with the Highest Number of Temporary Protections Granted

Portugal has already granted more than 50,000 temporary protections to people who fled the war in Ukraine, of which 27% covered minors, the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) revealed this week.

According to a note released by the SEF, so far 50,632 temporary protections have been granted to Ukrainian citizens and foreigners residing in that country, divided between 30,309 women and 20,323 men.The municipalities with the highest number of temporary protections awarded continue to be Lisbon (10,763), Cascais (3,020), Porto (2,450), Sintra (1,733) and Albufeira (1,264).

The SEF also highlights the issue of 42,333 residence authorization certificates under the temporary protection regime. These certificates, issued after the National Health Service, Social Security and Tax Authority have assigned the respective numbers, are necessary for refugees to start working and be able to access support.

The request for temporary protection to Portugal can be made through the ‘online’ platform created by the SEF, available in three languages; it is not necessary for adults to use the counters of this security service. However, in the case of minors, it is mandatory to go to a SEF branch to confirm their identity and affiliation.

Portuguese Man arrested in Spain extradited to Portugal arrives In Faro

On Monday, August 29, the Spanish authorities handed over to the Judiciary Police ( PJ ) the Portuguese citizen, Sidney Martins, the subject of a European arrest warrant suspected of several homicides and armed robberies, said the PJ in a statement.

“At the land border, a 42-year-old man was handed over to the Judiciary Police, under arrest, by the Spanish authorities, within the scope of the fulfilment of a European arrest warrant issued by the Faro Prosecutor’s Office, indicted for carrying out several armed robberies, during occurred in the month of July, in the Algarve region”, reads a note published on the official PJ page.

Sidney Martins is one of the Portuguese assailant couple, arrested in Spain, on August 13, in the city of Zamora.

The 42-year-old man and his partner Nélida Guerreiro, 40, known as the Portuguese ‘Bonnie & Clyde’, are the subject of three investigations in Portugal, being suspected of a triple homicide in Bragança and armed robberies in Fundão and Algarve, in addition to the robberies that are suspected of committing in Spain.

The Portuguese duo is also suspected of several armed robberies at petrol stations in the Algarve, from where they went to Spain and committed several other robberies, namely in Seville, Toledo and Badajoz, using the same ‘modus operandi’ of intimidation with a firearm and a knife.

The arrest warrants issued by the Court of Faro do not cover the couple’s suspicions of a triple homicide in Bragança – still under investigation by the Portuguese authorities -being limited only to crimes linked to robberies in Portugal and Spain.

Martins will be presented to the national judicial authorities, in the district of Faro, within the legally established deadlines”.

Spanish Man Treated For Hypothermia at Portimao

Finally to reiterate our introduction, A 44-year-old Spanish man was assisted on Sunday, August 28, at Praia do Alemão in Portimão , for showing signs of hypothermia after getting out of the water, announced the National Maritime Authority.

The alert was received at 17:53 by the lifeguards who were on duty and elements of the SeaWatch and INEM project were activated for the site.

The victim began to feel cold in the body after getting out of the water and removing the wetsuit, having asked the lifeguards and a doctor who was on site for support, who found that the body temperature was below the reference parameters.

The elements of the SeaWatch project, on site, provided support to the victim using a thermal blanket and the administration of oxygen until the arrival of INEM.

The victim was later taken from the beach using the Amarok vehicle to an ambulance, after which she was transported to a hospital.

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 31st August 2022

Situation of Alert continues until the end of September

The Madeira Regional Government has decided to keep the Situation of Alert from September 1st until  September 30th.

The only difference will be that there will be no need to book appointments in order to visit care homes for the elderly and other institutions providing care to the elderly.

Estrada Luso–Brasileira closed until September 10th

Due to scheduled work on the water supply network, Estrada Luso-Brasileirawill be closed to traffic until September 10th, on the stretch between the access road to VR1 (Nó da Pena) and Rua da Quinta dos Reis until September 10th.

During this period of time, the Horários do Funchal bus service Number 19 will go through Rua Nova Pedro José de Ornelas, Rua Dr Ângelo Augusto da Silva, Estrada dos Marmeleiros, Estrada do Livramento with Estrada Luso-Brasileira, where it will reverse and vice-versa.

As an alternative, Estrada dos Marmeleiros and Estrada do Livramento must be used.

Residents are allowed to drive to the VR1 viaduct.

 https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/08/29/circulacao-rodoviaria-na-estrada-luso-brasileira-interrompida/

Water Disruption

There will be a water supply disruption today (August 31st),
from 09h00 until about 19h00, in the area around Travessa
Manuel Alexandre, in the parish of Santa Maria Maior, as a
result of scheduled work on the water supply network.
The following areas will be affected:

· Rua Mãe dos Homens
· Largo de São João Bosco
· Travessa Manuel Alexandre
· Rampa Manuel Alexandre
· Travessa Mãe dos Homens
· Travessa da Boa Vista
· Rua do Alto

https://www.jm-
madeira.pt/regiao/ver/182604/Abastecimento_de_agua_sera_in
terrompido_amanha_nas_imediacoes_dos_Salesianos

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. It cannot be postponed and will take
place in the following days and places:

FUNCHAL
August 31st – 09h00 to 11h30 (TODAY)
– Caminho do Lombo dos Aguiares
– Caminho do Pomar do Miradour

– Escadinhas do Corgo
– Vereda do Corgo
– Travessa do Corgo (numbers 9 to 31)
– Fonte do Corvo

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.

https://funchalnoticias.net/2022/08/30/publicidade-o-fornecimento-de-energia-sera-interrompido-
nos-dias-horas-e-locais-abaixo-indicados-anuncio-78-2022/

 

Madeira Situation Report Wednesday 24th August 2022

Water supply disruption

There will be a water supply disruption at today and tomorrow, from 14h00 to 17h00, in the parish of Câmara de Lobos, more specifically in Caldeira, Rancho and Ribeira da Alforra. This is due to scheduled work to reduce water leaks on the water supply chain.

Free TAP flights for children up to 11

TAP launched a campaign for children aged up to 11 to travel for free. TAP are offering one free fare for a baby (up to 23-months old) and/or a child (aged 24 months-11 years old), per adult, for flights between Lisbon/Porto and Madeira/Porto Santo. The only cost will be in the form of airport taxes.

This campaign is applicable on fares purchased this week (22nd to 28th August), for travel between October 1st and November 15th 2022.

Ponta do Sol Fair

The Ponta do Sol Fair (Festas da Ponta do Sol) is starting on August 25th. It will take place until September 11th. There will be plenty of music and entertainment, including from traditional folk music bands from the Region, the country, and abroad. It will also aim to promote the work of many regional artists, particularly those from Ponta do Sol.

 

 

Portugal Situation Report Wednesday 24th August 2022 

Good morning – Again the last week has been dominated by rural fires, over 80 % being in the north of the country.

We have mentioned many times previously the main metrological factors that facilitate the starting of fires and their spread, but fires would not exist if it was not for human causes.

The factors previously mentioned are: high temperatures, low relative humidity and the dryness of the vegetation. The last is important as if you drop a lighted cigarette on vegetation (say leaves) that are damp or if the RH is very high, it may not burn the leaves, or if it did it would smoulder, but if you did the same on vegetation that is so brittle with long periods without rain, it will burn or flare up very quickly – which is what is happening right now.

Remember, the longer the period without rain the more likelihood is that vegetation becomes even dryer – hence increasing the risk.

The issue of the Situation of Alert was timely, even though the legislation was not published until Monday the day following its implementation. At Safe Communities we nevertheless published it in statement form on the Saturday, so everyone was aware beforehand.

Through liaison with the ANEPC we ascertained that in the Algarve the risk was extremely high and that on the Sunday there was a red alert in terms of readiness by the civil protection and its agents. This is the highest level that can be issued and only when there is “an extremely dangerous situation”. As such and given the forecast weather conditions, particularly the high winds forecast, we decided to monitor the fire situation at regular intervals overnight on Sunday/Monday. This was prudent as there was a moderate fire in near Salir, Loule at around 0330 hrs that mobilised over a hundred operatives, with complications due to strong winds over 35 km/h and lack of Ariel support as it was night-time. The fire was brought to a conclusion after six hours.

When we read of complications fighting fires the most frequently raised constraint in effective firefighting, is wind speed, gusts and rapidly changing direction. Monitoring these forecasts is therefore important in determining risk and likely fire behaviour.

We thank those of you have joined our Safe Communities northern situation alerts page – we now have over 610 members in just over two weeks. The area is suffering from extreme weather, a point that was made clear to us when Safe Communities visited the IPMA last week. The launch was timely given the large number of fires in the area covered since then and unfortunately more to come. In fact at 1600 hrs yesterday there were 17 rural fires I thank Susan Wright for her work in developing the page and the input we are receiving from professionals in the civil protection field. Creating awareness of fire and other risks is essential, and being prepared even more so. If you have not yet joined the group we welcome you here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/safecommunitiesnorthernportugal

Lastly a reminder that although the Rural Fire Situation of Alert ended at midnight last night, the risk of fires remains high so we must not let our guard down. The restrictions in place along with the fire risks are posted on this page every day so it is easy to follow, supplement by frequent fire prevention and self-protection information to assist you.

Our team wish you a Safe week ahead

News

Brussels estimates Iberian Peninsula with “drier than usual conditions” until November

Brussels, Aug 23, 2022 (Lusa) – The European Commission estimated today that the Iberian Peninsula will have, until November, “drier than usual conditions”, admitting that “the risks may persist” regarding the drought and warning about the lack of storage of water in Portugal.

“It is likely that in the coming months, until November 2022, warmer and drier conditions than usual will occur in the Western Euro-Mediterranean region. In some areas of the Iberian Peninsula, drier than usual conditions are expected for the next three months”, indicates the European Commission’s Joint Research Center in an updated report on the assessment of the drought situation in Europe.

In the document, published today based on data and analysis from the European Drought Observatory, Brussels anticipates that “for most of Europe, after a long string of unusually dry forecasts, they are expected to approach normal conditions between August and October 2022”, which will allow “to alleviate the critical conditions of many European regions and affected sectors”.

But this is not the reality of the Iberian Peninsula, as the Joint Research Center estimates “weather conditions are drier than normal in western Spain and eastern Portugal”, as well as in the entire western Euro-Mediterranean region, where “some risks may persist”.

Regarding Portugal, the document notes that, in the country, “hydroelectric energy stored in water reservoirs is less than half the average of the previous five years”.

“The state of water storage for irrigation is getting worse and all the reservoirs have shrunk. In most cases, water storage is expected to be sufficient to complete the crop irrigation cycle, but around 25% of reservoirs are in significant deficit and may not meet irrigation needs,” warns the community executive.

In addition, “the danger of forest fires is high to extreme in most parts” of Portugal, he adds.

In the report on the drought situation in the European Union (EU) in August, the Joint Research Center indicates that 47% of the community space is in alert conditions, which means that rainfall has been lower than normal and that the humidity of the soil is deficient.

Two suspected of killing teenager in Lisbon gang dispute arrested

The PJ detained two men, aged 29 and 19, suspected of killing a 16-year-old, in a dispute between youth gangs in Lisbon and Loures. They were on the run in France and Switzerland and have already been extradited. Four other suspects had been detained in June.

The death took place on the night of February 19, 2022, in a context of youth violence and conflicts between two gangs in the Lumiar and Fetais areas. Isaac Oliveira, 16, was shot several times while walking on a street in Fetais, Loures. Isaac, nicknamed “Manilson”, was transported to Hospital de Santa Maria in critical condition, but eventually died.

The shots were fired from the interior of a moving van, with several youths inside. It appears that this was a planned assassination and retaliation for previous conflicts, especially a stabbing that took place a week earlier.

Investigations carried out by the PJ made it possible to identify the six individuals suspected of the homicide. In June, four of them, aged between 17 and 26, were arrested. The other two had fled the country shortly after the crime.

The PJ managed to locate them in Switzerland and France and, within the framework of international cooperation and with the cooperation of the authorities of both countries, they were both arrested and extradited in recent weeks.

The defendants, aged 29 and 19, were both presented for the first judicial interrogation, having been subject to the coercive measure of preventive detention

Euro loses gas. Single currency drops to two-decade lows on Russian pressure

The three-day stop of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline imposed by Russia for “maintenance” is putting pressure on the euro against the dollar. Single currency hits lowest value in two decades

The three-day stop of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline imposed by Russia for “maintenance”, but which is being interpreted by Europe as blackmail from Moscow on the threshold of a winter when energy will be scarce, is putting pressure on the euro against to the dollar to such an extent that the single currency fell to two-decade lows on Tuesday, August 23.

According to Reuters, the single currency reached US$0.9909 on Tuesday morning, a value last reached in late 2002.

Europe is trying to reduce dependence on Russian gas, hitherto abundant and cheap, after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. Without having considered alternatives in recent years, the economies of Central Europe, especially the European economic “engine”, Germany, are now at the mercy of the very high gas prices practiced in international markets, and with no prospects of slowing down.

In this race to secure reserves for the winter, with Europe and Asia competing to buy what little gas there is on the market, the biggest loser is the German industry. Deprived of cheap energy, it is having great difficulties in adapting to these new production conditions, which will have an impact on the country’s economic growth. The German central bank, the Bundesbank, has already confirmed that the pessimism is justified.

Faced with all-time record inflation rates in developed economies fueled by rising energy prices and the breakdown of supply chains – and some links, which have broken due to the covid-19 pandemic, are unlikely to be restored – central banks global markets are tightening their monetary policy for the first time in several years, raising interest rates.

Azores IPMA places seven islands under heavy rain yellow level warning

Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Aug 23, 2022 (Lusa) – The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed seven islands in the Azores (western and central groups) under yellow warning, between today and Wednesday, due to the forecast of sometimes heavy precipitation.

In a press release, the IPMA adds that, on the islands of the western group (Flores and Corvo) “rainfall is sometimes expected”, which can “be accompanied by thunderstorms”, from 00:00 to 18:00 local time (19:00 in Lisbon) today.

On the islands of the central group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial), the same notice takes place between 00:00 and 21:00 on Wednesday.

The yellow warning (the least serious of a scale of three) is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the weather situation.

 

Situation Report Azores – 24th August 2022 – From our colleague in the Azores

Covid-19 

In the seven days from Friday 12th August until Thursday 18th August there were 411 new positive cases of Covid-19 registered in the Azores, and a total of 1,923 tests performed. 416 people have recovered, and no new deaths have been recorded with the total still at 117 There are 446 active cases, 7 fewer than the previous week.

There are 13 patients in the region’s hospitals as of 19th August with Covid, 2 patients are in hospital because of Covid. There are no patients in the ICU.

119086 people in the region have had Covid, that’s over 49% of the population.

Seven islands in the Azores under yellow warning due to precipitation 

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed seven islands in the Azores (western and central groups) under yellow warning, between Tuesday and Wednesday, due to the forecast of sometimes heavy precipitation.

In a press release, the IPMA adds that, on the islands of the western group (Flores and Corvo) “rainfall is sometimes expected”, which can “be accompanied by thunderstorms”, from 00:00 to 18:00 local time (19:00 in Lisbon) today.

On the islands of the central group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial), the same notice takes place between 00:00 and 21:00 on Wednesday.

The yellow warning (the least serious of a scale of three) is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the weather situation.

SATA breaks daily passenger transport record 

The SATA group, made up of operators SATA Air Azores and Azores Airlines, recorded a new daily record for passenger transport on Saturday, with 10,961 people, revealed the company.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 24 August 2022

Civil Protection reinforces fire-fighting device in the region

The Civil Protection of the Algarve announced this Sunday a reinforcement of the observation device and means of fighting fires in rural areas, within the scope of the alert situation declared by the Government for the coming days.

In a statement, the Algarve Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command (CREPC) specified that 52 more observation teams were mobilised by the municipal civil protection services and 28 tracking machines were hired by the 16 municipalities in the district of Faro .

The alert situation for mainland Portugal was declared on Friday by the Government due to the risk of fire, a scenario that will remain at least until next Tuesday, following a heat wave that hits the country.

During this alert period, the CREPC/Algarve adds, there was also an increase of 11 intervention teams to combat rural fires, “totaling the regional device, 375 firefighters distributed among 90 teams positioned in strategic locations”.

In all the municipalities of the Algarve, he says, 22 concentration zones were also created, “key areas to accommodate the most vulnerable population in emergency situations”.

According to Civil Protection, the 52 rural observation teams are part of the operational prevention device coordinated by the National Republican Guard, “with means and resources” from municipalities, hunters’ associations and other collectivities.

“It is a muscular reinforcement for the early detection of possible ignitions in the barrocal and mountain areas” in the region, reads the note.

The 28 crawler machines “were strategically prepositioned according to the territorial reality of each municipality and are the guarantee of an anticipated projection by the regional command, in the expanded attack effort”.

The equipment is monitored by teams of forest clearers in conjunction with the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, concluded the note from the Civil Protection of the Algarve.

Municipalities removed more than 58 thousand square metres of asbestos in 29 schools

Twelve municipalities in the Algarve have already removed more than 58,000 square metres of asbestos from school coverage, the Algarve’s Regional Coordination and Development Commission ( CCDR ) announced this Monday.

With a total eligible investment of 3.5 million euros, 100% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the twelve municipalities involved in the operation completed the asbestos removal work in 29 teaching establishments from the 2nd and 2nd 3rd cycles, following the agreement established with the Government, which allowed access to European funds managed in the region for the removal of coatings made up of asbestos-containing fibre cement boards and accessories.

Adding together two broader requalification projects, in which the removal of asbestos is also planned, these interventions will improve operating conditions in 31 schools in the region.

Vila Real Beaches recognised with distinction by Turismo de Portugal

The beaches of the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António were awarded, by Turismo de Portugal, with the “Accessible Beach” Flag, under the Accessible Beach Program – Beach for All)!.

The initiative’s main objective is to provide bathing areas with a set of conditions that allow their universal use, without jeopardising age and mobility difficulties.

All the licensed and supervised beaches in the municipality – Santo António, Monte Gordo , Manta Rota and Lota – were awarded and, in addition to being accessible to people with reduced mobility, they provide comfort to visitors, through the provision of amphibious chairs in safety conditions.

Added to this service is the already existing network of adapted walkways, ramps and parking spaces reserved for vehicles at the service of people with disabilities, which, together, allow all users to enjoy a swim in the sea.

It is recalled that the beach of Manta Rota was already distinguished with the first place of the award “Beach + accessible”, being considered an example of good practices to be followed throughout the country.

Six arrested for driving with excessive alcohol in Vilamoura during Police crack down 

The GNR detained on Friday, 19, in Vilamoura, six people for driving with excess blood alcohol, during an action to combat crime and serious accidents, it was announced on Saturday.

In a statement, the Faro Territorial Command of the National Republican Guard (GNR) indicated that the “special operation” took place in the main accesses to Vilamoura.

According to that security force, in addition to the arrest of the six people who were driving with excess alcohol in their blood, the military detected a total of 31 different infractions that resulted in administrative offences.

Thus, 25 violations against the Highway Code were issued, three against regulatory legislation, one for lack of a safety plan, one for an expired security director card and one for outdated CCTV system (video surveillance system) symbology. The cases were referred to the Loulé Judicial Court.

Collision between two boats at the entrance to Olhao Harbour causes three injuries

A collision between two vessels caused three minor injuries at the entrance to the fishing port of Olhão , during the early hours of Friday, August 19, announced the National Maritime Authority.

A local fishing vessel that had five crew on board collided with another local auxiliary vessel with four people on it.

The alert was given shortly after midnight through the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, and elements of the local Command of the Maritime Police of Olhão, the Municipal Fire Department of Olhão and INEM were activated for the scene.

After the collision, the two vessels went to the fishing port of Olhão, where they docked safely, so that the slightly injured could be cared for.

Two of the slightly injured were later transported to a hospital and the two vessels were inspected, and severe structural damage was found.

The local Command of the Maritime Police of Olhão took care of the occurrence.

Loule Municipality Reinforces Measures to Combat Lack of Water

With the worsening of the drought in the country, and at a time when the population in the municipality is considerably higher than the rest of the year, due to the number of tourists who are there on vacation, the municipality of Loulé decided this week to reinforce its response to the water shortage.

In this way, measures based on the recently approved Plan are being implemented

Contingency Council for Dry Periods, in addition to those in force since the 20th of July, in consultation with the other municipalities in the Algarve.

The Loulé City Council will extend the closure of the indoor swimming pools in Loulé and Quarteira until the end of September and close the outdoor swimming pools in Loulé and Salir on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting next Monday , August 22. These outdoor equipment will remain open on the remaining days and during their normal opening hours. As a whole, the sum of the measures in force since 20 July with these new ones to be applied from next week should mean a total saving of 4,200 m3 or 4,200,000 litres of water, which would be the average consumption of 420 dwellings during the whole month.

Also with regard to the aforementioned public sports facilities, measures will be implemented to reduce water consumption by users and employees, which will include the installation of flow reducers in existing faucets and showers and the installation of timers in the showers that don’t have them yet.

Another initiative, now approved, will be the reduction or suspension of irrigation in some of the green spaces of the municipality, with this irrigation being carried out, whenever possible, manually and using water from Bicas Velhas.The municipal services will also resort to alternative sources of water for washing streets and pavements, with the vehicles that carry out these washings being supplied with water sources such as the one in Bicas Velhas.

Waste Tip Fire in Loule Must be Extinguished says ARS

The Public Health Authority of the Algarve determined this Monday “the immediate extinction” of the sources of burning material at the waste plant of the company Inertegarve, in Vale da Venda (Loulé), whose dump was affected by a fire in July.

The determination of the regional health delegate was expressed in a note published on the website of the Algarve Regional Health Administration (ARS), following the air quality monitoring report commissioned by the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission ( CCDR ). .

The precautionary measure arises “following the confirmation of the analytical results, of the parameters Particles in Suspension (PM10) and Benzene, above the indicative values ​​used by analogy as a reference […]”, maintains Ana Cristina Guerreiro.

The fire at the Inertegarve company dump, located in Vale da Venda, in the municipality of Loulé , resulted from the fire that broke out on July 14 in Gambelas, in the municipality of Faro, and which spread to the neighbouring municipality.

Since the fire started local residents have been calling for it to be extinguished but for the past few weeks their calls were being ignored, even though the operating licence of the company was suspended.

According to the statement on their website, “The joint visit on the initiative of the Health Authority and the GNR, which are territorially competent, accompanied by other entities, resulted in the recognition of the suspected risk to public health and the urgent need [for the company] to completely stop the outbreaks of combustion”, reads the note.

The assessment “on the possible presence of critical levels of pollution in the face of an environmental accident” carried out for nine days by the company Monitar – Engenharia do Ambiente, through a mobile station, detected “the concentration of values ​​above the indicative reference levels for the parameters PM10 and Benzene particles”, underlines the note from the Algarve Regional Health Authority.