Heavy rain flood roads, cellars and shops in Albufeira and Olhão
The 20 minute burst of heavy rain that fell yesterday morning (Thursday) in the Algarve, flooded roads in Moncarapacho, and cellars and shops in the Old Town area of Albufeira.
According to the Algarve District Emergency and Civil Protection Command, “the heavy rainfall that fell in a short space of time between 10:58 and 11:18, resulted in a total of 13 incidents recorded in various areas of the
Algarve, with no personal injuries reported”.
Albufeira was the Algarve municipality where the highest number of incidents were recorded, five of which were on public roads, followed by Moncarapacho, but none of them were serious.
The Civil Protection source said that “there is also a record of a roof falling in on a warehouse in Silves, which collapsed due to the weight of accumulated water, but without causing personal injury”.
However, he added, “there was no need to reinforce Civil Protection resources”, with local fire departments having resolved all incidents.
“At this moment, all incidents have been resolved, with water flowing normally,” he specified.
Beja and the Algarve are under an increased weather warning of orange alert between 6:00hr and 18:00hr today (Friday), due to more heavy showers, thunderstorms and potential hail again, say the IPMA.
INEM's Urgent Patient Guidance Center reports that almost 20% of calls are not medical emergencies
Since the implementation of contingency measures at the the Urgent Patient Guidance Centers (CODU) early this month, with the aim of reducing call handling time to the emergency number 112, INEM have reported that 18% of the total calls received at the INEM center were not medical emergencies.
As we have been hearing regularly in the news, the shortage of professionals in the Pre-hospital Emergency Technician (TEPH) category in the INEM staffing map, now exacerbated by workers in this professional category striking, with no end in sight, has affected the level of response that INEM can offer to citizens who need their emergency services.
Last weekend, the Urgent Patient Guidance Center (CODU) of the National Institute of Medical Emergencies (INEM) forwarded 662 calls to SNS 24 and also registered 1408 incidents that did not require referral or activation of emergency services. In other words, during this weekend period, 18% of the total calls received at the INEM center were not medical emergencies.
Between November 1st and 3rd, 2070 non-urgent calls were answered and triaged by INEM professionals.
Calls that do not constitute a medical emergency overload the system, jeopardizing the Integrated Medical Emergency System's (SIEM) ability to respond to true emergencies, putting the lives of those who truly need immediate help at risk.
INEM reminds citizens that they should only call the European Emergency Number 112 in serious or life-threatening situations, such as:
- Altered state of consciousness;
- Suspected stroke (change in speech, face or strength);
- Choking (after trying to help);
- Difficulty breathing;
- Accidents with injured person(s);
- Chest pain;
- Heavy or uncontrollable bleeding;
- Serious burns or burns in sensitive areas.
If the call is put on hold, users should wait for it to be answered by CODU professionals, instead of hanging up and calling again. This action will put the call at the end of the queue of calls on hold, only serving to delay the answering of the call.
In all other non-emergency situations, citizens should contact SNS 24, on 808 24 24 24 – for appropriate referral and advice.
Collaborate with INEM. Call 112 only in case of emergency.
Police arrest a man for sexually abusing a child over a period of 2 years
A 31 year old man has been arrested for crimes against freedom and sexual self-determination, involving a minor in his own family on November 8, in Tavira.
Via the investigation carried out by the Judicial Police (PJ), it was “possible to determine that the suspect had been subjecting the victim, now aged 10, to significant sexual acts for around two years."
Evidence was also collected relating to the episodes of previous sexual assault.
Algarve aims to become an international diving destination
The Algarve aims to position itself as a “top diving destination” internationally, promoting the Pedra do Valado Marine Natural Park, one of the first protected marine parks in Portugal and the largest coastal reef in the region, located between Albufeira and Lagoa.
This commitment was reinforced during the World Travel Market in London, where EDP Art Reef by Vhils received an award from the prestigious British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW). The association, which brings together media professionals and experts in the creation of content on travel and tourism, recognised the innovation and artistic value of EDP Art Reef, an underwater exhibition created by Vhils with 13 sculptures, made from old parts of power stations, installed more than 10 metres deep off the coast of Albufeira.
Speaking in London, the president of Algarve Tourism, André Gomes, highlighted the region’s potential: “In the coming years, the Algarve could become a top diving destination, taking advantage of the unique heritage we have in this segment of nautical tourism.”
In addition to the Pedra do Valado Marine Nature Park and EDP Art Reef, the Algarve also boasts the Ocean Revival Underwater Park, off the coast of Portimão. This park includes four decommissioned naval vessels that have been sunk, creating the world’s largest artificial reef and a habitat that attracts and sustains diverse marine life.
“With these three unique diving sites located within a radius of just a few kilometres, the Algarve stands out as a unique destination for the diving community, offering a range of underwater experiences that few destinations in the world can match,” concluded André Gomes.
Faro Council is to redevelop the city's riverside area
Faro City Council have approved a project which involves an investment of 3 million euros, for the redevelopment of the riverside neighbourhood.
The tender for the urban requalification of the riverside area in Faro has been launched, with an expected execution period of around 2 years for the work to be completed.
In a statement released, the Council speaks of a "deep intervention" that will focus on the streets of Conselheiro Bívar, Prior, Captain-Major, Compromisso, São Pedro, Madalena, Baptista Pinto, Teófilo Braga, Gil Eanes, Forno, Barqueta da Cruz and partially Infante D. Henrique, and cross streets of Madalena, José Coelho, S. Pedro, Arcos, Passagem and Alfândega and Largo da Madalena.
The announced works aim to "improve the conditions of urban and collective enjoyment and living", in a "historical, patrimonial and cultural manner".
Woman gives birth in Aljezur Fire Department ambulance
Due to the lack of obstetrics services available at Portimão Hospital, and woman gave birth in a Bombeiros ambulance, on the way to Faro Hospital in the early hours of Friday.
Unsure of what else to do, and already having regular contractions, the woman asked for help from the Aljezur firefighters at around 2am on Friday morning.
About an hour after collecting the pregnant woman, and on route to Faro hospital, a baby girl was born in the Aljezur fire department ambulance, on the Via do Infante near Portimão Hospital.
With the obstetrics department at Portimão Hospital being closed, teams from an Immediate Life Support ambulance and the INEM Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle provided support for the birth.
Mum and child were then transported to the pediatrics department at Portimão Hospital, where the baby was checked over by a pediatrician.
This is the third birth that Aljezur firefighters have carried out this year in an ambulance, due to the instability of the obstetrics service at Portimão Hospital and the distance to Faro Hospital.
