Portugal safety and security report Wednesday 21^st January 2025

 

Good afternoon. It will be a markedly wintry week, growing in intensity throughout the next few days. It started calmly on Monday, just some precipitation in the northwest, from Tuesday and specially from Wednesday it starts a pattern of low pressure systems approaching and with an impact that will be more pronounced and direct on mainland Portugal.

Storm Ingrid will bring very adverse weather conditions to the continent. The weather will worsen in the coming days in mainland Portugal, with falling temperatures, rain, strong winds and rough seas. Starting Thursday, a more severe depression may form, which will predictably be named ‘Ingrid’. It is expected to be a major storm with four risk factors that should be taken into account: stormy sea conditions, with waves up to 10 meters, especially between Figueira da Foz and Sines; winds with gusts up to 90 km/h and heavy rain and snowfall, with a very significant accumulation factor in some locations above 700 meters altitude. So be prepared with further IPMA weather warnings and ANEPC preventive measures expected over to be announced in the coming days.

This week the news has been dominated by the fatal railway accident on Sunday, Jan 18, involving the Iryo train 6189, traveling from Málaga to Atocha (Madrid) with 317 passengers on board, which derailed near Adamuz (Córdoba) and crossed onto the adjacent track. This caused the derailment of another train, the Alvia 2384, traveling in the opposite direction at that precise moment, from Madrid to Huelva with about 100 passengers. At the time of the collision, according to official sources, the Alvia was traveling at a speed of 200 km/h.

The scale of this tragedy is underscored by the fact that, after searching through the train wreckage, authorities are still unable to provide a definitive death toll. At least one more uncertainty remains: the fate of passengers on two train cars embedded in an embankment next to the tracks. The technical difficulties in extracting the two wrecked cars are immense, according to officials from both the central government and the Andalusian regional government. “Now, with the ongoing work and the heavy machinery, we hope that whatever remains can be extracted and transported soon to the Forensic Institute,” they added, stating that the work would continue “throughout the night.”

Thirty-nine people remain hospitalized in various Andalusian hospitals: 35 adults and four children. Of these, 13 patients are in intensive care, all adults. The Integrated Data Center (CID), the technical body that integrates forensic doctors and technicians with state security forces, has received 43 missing persons reports filed with the Guardia Civil headquarters in Huelva, Córdoba, Málaga, Seville, and Madrid.

Such rail accidents are relatively rare, but with trains travelling at very high speeds the impact in terms of loss of life can be considerable. In Portugal the ANEPC regularly organises railway accident exercises to test the response by the emergency entities involved.

Unfortunately the elderly are sometimes targeted by criminals, in this particular case when using ATM machine. Recently the GNR Aveiro Territorial Command, arrested a 58-year-old man for robbery at ATM machines in the municipality of Aveiro. As part of an investigation into the crimes of robbery and theft, the GNR officers determined that the suspect approached particularly vulnerable victims, aged between 65 and 83, near ATM machines, stealing money from them, sometimes resorting to the use of force.

During the police investigation, two searches were carried out, one at a residence and the other in a vehicle, which resulted in the recovery of €778 in cash. It is crucial to reinforce prevention and attention to this type of situation. Advice is not to trust strangers who approach or try to start a conversation while using the ATM; keep your distance from others while using the ATM, and if you suspect anything, move away immediately and seek help.

We wish you a safe week ahead.

News

More than 43,000 elderly people living alone have been identified by the GNR (National Republican Guard).

After Guarda (5,852 elderly people) and Vila Real (5,167), the districts where the most elderly people were identified were Bragança (4,191), Faro (3,414), Viseu (3,304), Beja (2,749), Évora (2,381) and Castelo Branco (2,316).

More than 43,000 elderly people living alone or in vulnerable situations have been identified this year by the GNR (National Republican Guard), with the districts of Guarda and Vila Real being those where the most cases were detected, the corporation reported.

In a statement regarding the Senior Census 2025 operation, which took place between October 1st and November 16th, the GNR (National Republican Guard) indicated that during the initiative it carried out several actions of direct contact with these people to alert them to the need to adopt safety behaviors, minimizing the risk of becoming victims of crime.

After Guarda (5,852 elderly people) and Vila Real (5,167), the districts where the most elderly people were identified were Bragança (4,191), Faro (3,414), Viseu (3,304), Beja (2,749), Évora (2,381) and Castelo Branco (2,316).

In the 2025 edition of the Senior Census operation, the GNR (National Republican Guard) carried out a series of classroom and door-to-door actions, reaching a total of 35,143 senior citizens.

Hiking and Hypothermia – Prevention Signs and Treatment

A group of six hikers were successfully rescued on Saturday, January 17, in the Estrela da Estrela after being unable to complete a trail due to heavy snowfall. All members of the group were safely rescued and in good health, with no hospital referral being required.

According to IPMA the municipality of Seia where they were hiking experienced temperatures ranging from minus -0.5 to a maximum of 3.4C and maximum winds of 16 km/h that day.

The ANEPC reminds people of the need for proper mountain activity planning, following safety guidelines, and checking weather conditions and trail conditions, especially in areas with increased natural risks.

Such situations can result in Hypothermia. Knowing what it is, how to recognise the signs, prevention and treatment are therefore vitally important.

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

Hypothermia can happen when a person is exposed to very cold temperature for a long period of time. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up your body’s stored energy, which leads to lower body temperature.

Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia especially dangerous, because a person may not know that it’s happening and won’t be able to do anything about it.

While hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 4.5°C) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water.

SIGNS – Includes: shivering, exhaustion or feeling very tired, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss slurred speech and drowsiness

TREATMENT – Hypothermia is a medical emergency. If you notice any of the above signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 35° C, get medical attention immediately! If you are not able to get medical help right away, try to warm the person up.

• Get the person into a warm room or shelter.
• Remove any wet clothing the person is wearing.
• Warm the centre of the person’s body—chest, neck, head, and groin—using an electric blanket, if available. You can also use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.
• Warm drinks can help increase body temperature, but do not give alcoholic drinks. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.
• After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrap their body, including their head and neck, in a warm blanket.
• Get the person proper medical attention as soon as possible

PREVENTION – To reduce your risk of hypothermia while hiking, you should dress warmly, stay hydrated, and have extra supplies including the following: Wear layers, hat and gloves; cover your skin, including your scalp; wear wool or synthetic blends, which retain warmth even when damp, avoid cotton, which dries slowly and saps body heat; stay hydrated; bring plenty of water and high-energy snacks; avoid alcohol and minimize caffeine; have extra supplies; carry a daypack with extra supplies, such as thermal blankets and dry clothing.

Plan ahead, check weather conditions (is it safe to go?), travel in groups or with a partner and inform someone of your plans and expected return time.