Earthquake simulation will test Algarve's readiness
Next Tuesday, a simulated setting where an earthquake causes the collapse of structures and a 'tsunami', affecting PortimĂŁo and Silves, will test the readiness of the Algarve's Civil Protection.
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The PROCIVALG_24.2 exercise will involve 33 entities and 365 operational personnel, with the aim of training the Civil Protection response in the region for natural disasters, regarding search, assistance and rescue intervention of the Special Emergency Plan for Seismic and Tsunami Risk in the Algarve (PEERST-ALG).
The various agents that make up the Civil Protection will act in the scenario of an earthquake that occurred at 11:05, with a magnitude of 8.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre in the Gorringe Bank fault, a submerged mountain range located around 120 nautical miles west-southwest of Cape St Vincent.
The fictitious earthquake “causes multiple occurrences in the municipalities of Portimão and Silves, where search and rescue in collapsed structures, water rescue and underwater searches will be tested”, reads a statement from the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC).
The response, the note adds, will also be tested in fire-fighting, intervention in environments contaminated by hazardous materials, freeing people and animals and shoring up structures.
According to ANEPC, the exercise will take place in a “livex” scenario, with the real mobilisation of material and human resources, “with the aim of promoting the operational training of agents, organisations and support entities”.
“At the same time, procedures will be carried out within the scope of primary evacuation, triage and operation of an Advanced Medical Post, as well as the installation of a Population Concentration and Support Zone”, says Civil Protection.
In the context of the 'tsunami' exercise, the warning sirens installed in Praia de Rocha and in the riverside area of ​​Portimão will be activated, a warning system for the population and a pilot project in the region, promoting the evacuation of risk areas with people being directed to safe places, through the implemented signage.
Operations will be directed from an operational command post installed next to the Silves court, which brings together coordination, command, control and communications capabilities in conjunction with municipal authorities.
According to ANEPC, the simulated occurrences “aim to provide a context that allows the development of expected actions following the activation of PEERST-ALG, in the event of a high-magnitude earthquake” in the Algarve region.
In addition to ANEPC, the simulation involves the municipalities of PortimĂŁo and Silves, the Southern Maritime Department of the National Maritime Authority, the District Social Security Center, fire brigades, the Portuguese Red Cross, the Territorial Command and the GNR Emergency Protection and Relief Unit.
Also participating are the regional delegation of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), the parish councils of the participating municipalities, the district command of the PSP, municipal Civil Protection services of the region and the Local Health Unit (ULS) of the Algarve.
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Falling Short on Climate Action: Catastrophes Loom
The torrential rainfall and furious flooding in neighbouring Spain in recent days have been made all the worse by climate change, according to scientists.
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An entire year’s worth of rain fell within about eight hours, causing devastation to property and resulting in at least 160 deaths in Spain's Valencia region.
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A super typhoon has just hit Taiwan, bringing the entire country to a standstill. The storm's full force has hit the capital, Taipei, with winds of more than 200 kilometres per hour. Whole villages are expected to be buried by landslides.
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Rainfall said to have intensified twofold by climate change, caused deadly flooding in central European countries two months ago. The widespread flooding affected countries including Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Thousands of people had to be evacuated from their homes.
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Wildfires and droughts have become all too common in Portugal. From the middle of September this year Portugal faced severe forest fires in the central and northern regions, fuelled by unusually high temperatures. The emergency services in Portugal needed support from neighbouring countries. Overall, the temperatures in Portugal this year are expected to be the hottest ever.
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Portugal’s Antonio Guterres has become one of the world’s most vocal advocates, urgently warning of the escalating risk of global warming, which threatens not just disastrous weather, but total worldwide catastrophe.
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He explains only by limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius do we have a fighting chance of preventing the irreversible collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets - and the catastrophes that accompany them.”
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“That means cutting global emissions by 42% compared to 2019 levels by 2030, and 60% by 2035.”
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We are only on track to cut emissions by 10% by 2030. This crucial fact will no doubt be at the forefront of the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, as leaders gather from Monday, November 11th to Friday, November 22th 2024.
Written by Len Port
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Maritime Police arrest 4 drug traffickers who rammed their vessel
The Navy and the National Maritime Authority detected two boats suspected of carrying out drug trafficking activities this morning, in international waters off the south coast of Portugal.
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The boats were pursued by the Portuguese authorities, when one of the suspect boats deliberately rammed the Navy vessel, causing a collision and injuring a soldier and two suspected drug traffickers, neither of whom are injured severely.
All the injured were rescued from the patrol vessel involved in the operation, by a Portuguese Air Force helicopter.
According to the Navy statement, a speedboat was seized and the four suspects arrested for being involved in drug trafficking.Â
Since the beginning of 2023, joint actions by the Navy and the National Maritime Authority, to combat drug trafficking, have involved the arrest of 111 people and seizure of 42 high-speed vessels, with more than 33 tons of narcotics onboard.
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Faro: accessible tourist circuit to be created in the historic area
With an investment of over 1.1 million euros, Faro City Council are to create an accessible tourist circuit in Vila Adentro, to allow everyone to visit and enjoy the historic area of ​​the city.
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The launch of the public tender for the construction of the circuit, accessible to people with disabilities or incapacities, was approved at a meeting of the municipal executive held last Monday.
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The circuit will cover Vila Adentro and Largo D.Afonso III, and “aims to enhance the full enjoyment of the historic space and its points of interest, regardless of the physical and sensory capabilities” of those visiting that tourist area of ​​the city.
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According to the local authority, the work will create accessibility and mobility conditions for everyone, connecting equipment and points of interest and improving the quality of public spaces.
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At the same time, conditions will be created for leisure, recreational and cultural activities, through the "installation of urban furniture and the adaptation of infrastructures, which will be in full coordination with the neighbouring buildings", says the municipality.
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The works should be completed within approximately 18 months.
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Young woman leaves Lagos on a solo rowing trip to South America
Zara Lachlan, a 21 year old from Cambridge, has embarked on an ambitious attempt to become the first woman to row solo from mainland Europe (Lagos, Algarve) to mainland South America.
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The young woman set off from Lagos on Sunday with the aim of covering 3,600 nautical miles to French Guiana, a journey estimated to take around 90 days.
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Lachlan, who will join the British Army in September as a technical officer after completing a degree in Physics at Loughborough University, wants to encourage other women to be more physically active. “I know it seems like an extreme way to inspire other women to take up sport, but I want people to realise their potential and if I can complete this challenge without ever having rowed in open water before, then other women can try their own challenge, although probably not a transatlantic crossing,” she said.
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The young athlete also highlighted that she feels prepared and strong, having worked with some of the best ocean rowing coaches in the world, including Charlie Pitcher and Lizzie Brown, whom she describes as a “second mother” over the past six months. “However, I am aware that I am doing something incredibly dangerous, which has never been attempted by anyone my age,” she warned.
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If she successfully completes the crossing, Zara Lachlan will become the youngest person to row solo and unsupported from continental Europe to continental South America. She will also be the first woman to complete the crossing solo, and the youngest person to row solo between two Atlantic continents.
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To achieve her goal, Zara expects to row up to 20 hours a day, expecting to lose a third of her body weight along the way. Her provisions include meals and snacks totalling around 5,500 kcal per day.
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Claire Lachlan, Zara’s mother, revealed that she was thrilled when her daughter told her about the challenge. “We will always be worried about our children, but rowing across an ocean alone takes that to a whole new level. That said, we couldn’t be more proud of her. She has worked incredibly hard to prepare and has a rare strength of character that will be essential when the going gets tough. We know she can do it,” she said.
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Zara Lachlan is raising funds for Women In Sport and Team Forces, the latter of which is dedicated to improving the experience of the armed forces community through sport, challenge and adventure. “While the ocean is a challenging beast, it is also incredibly beautiful and I am looking forward to witnessing things like the night sky without light pollution. Even seeing orcas in the next few days will be fascinating, as long as they leave my boat alone,” she joked.
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Faro: Hotel robbery is caught on CCTV, but the thieves are still not caught
Last week, the Aqua Ria Boutique Hotel in Faro was the target of a robbery, caught on the hotel's video surveillance system, but the thieves have still not been caught.
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The Aqua Ria Boutique Hotel, located on Faro's main shopping street, was the target of a robbery last week and images of the incident were captured on the hotel security cameras.
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The two people responsible were caught on the hotel's video surveillance system, stealing a safe from the hotel's reception desk.
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The crime took place at 8:20pm on Tuesday evening, October 22nd 2024. The two men entered the reception area as if they were customers and, in the absence of any staff around, one of the robbers leaned over the counter and stole the safe, as well as €30 euros and the card that activates the ATM.Â
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The PSP is currently investigating the crime.
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The hotel has now returned to normal operation, offering views of Faro Marina and the Ria Formosa.Â
