Azores, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Horta.
A gastroenteritis outbreak on the island of Faial has sent nearly 500 people to the emergency room, with health authorities identifying a highly transmissible norovirus as the likely cause. Officials suggest the surge in cases is linked to increased summer travel and note that the virus has relatively spared the elderly population.
Health authorities in Horta, Faial, are investigating an outbreak of gastroenteritis that has affected more than 400 people since August 1. Officials have stated there is currently no evidence linking the illness to the local water supply.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil or ANAC) has lifted operational restrictions at Horta airport in the Azores. The regional government confirmed that normal flight operations will resume starting Wednesday. This decision follows a series of meetings between the regional authorities, the airport operator, and the national aviation regulator.
ANAC (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil) is Portugal's national civil aviation regulator, responsible for safety oversight, licensing and economic regulation of airlines, airports and ground-handling services. It oversees tenders and issues licences such as the recent ground-handling awards for Lisbon, Porto and Faro, so its decisions directly affect airport operations, service providers and related jobs.
A marine protected area (área marinha protegida) is a designated sea zone where human activity is limited to conserve ecosystems, species and habitats, and rules can range from restrictions on certain fishing methods to full no-take zones. In the Azores and other Portuguese waters, these protections can restrict commercial and recreational fishing and are often controversial because they balance biodiversity goals with local fishing livelihoods, which is why disputes over tuna fishing arise. Enforcement and specific rules vary by region and are managed by national and regional maritime and environmental authorities.
A head-on collision between an e-scooter and a car results in one death on the island of Faial. The young woman was transported to the hospital, where she later died.
A 25-year-old woman was riding the e-scooter that collided with a motor vehicle.
On the sidelines of a visit to the António José de Ávila Basic School in Horta, the regional socialist leader states that the operation of schools is only possible thanks to the efforts of the teaching staff.
Francisco César announced the proposal for a Regional Student Housing Supplement and the possibility for displaced students to deduct air travel expenses from their income tax.
The initiative was approved by a majority in a final global vote, with 214 votes in favour and three abstentions.
Submarine cables connecting the American continent to Europe pass through the Azores. The new centre in Faial and the new frigates will be essential. Editorial by Helena Pereira
Spread across the sea of the Azores, 200 acoustic sensors will collect and send information to a submarine acoustics centre currently being created in Faial. Underwater noise provides valuable information.
There is marine litter, particularly plastic, on Porto Pim beach in Faial, Azores. Many of these residues travelled thousands of kilometres to reach the archipelago, originating from the United States and Canada.
The Azores region celebrates its 50th anniversary of autonomy with an official ceremony held in the city of Horta.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic visited the Horta Hospital, where the revision of the Law on Finance for the Autonomous Regions was highlighted, and is presiding over the ceremonies for the jubilee of Autonomy.
The President of the Assembly of the Republic admitted to being a believer in the advantages that the autonomous regime has brought to the inhabitants of the two archipelagos.
The study by the Okeanos group collected 1,577 items of litter, with labels dated between 1983 and 2023, in the coastal areas of Faial and Pico. The majority, 63%, originates from the USA.
Nine people died following the earthquake, which had an estimated magnitude between 5.3 and 5.9 on the Richter scale.
Home News Azores celebrate 50 years of autonomy Azores celebrate 50 years of autonomy The Azores Parliament will host a series of events in Horta to mark the 50th anniversary of constitutional autonomy, bringing together different generations to reflect on the memory, history, and values of the
The regional final of the 7 Wonders of Portugal® competition is taking place on Faial Island.
The Azores Parliament will begin celebrations on September 2nd, with a visit by children from activity and leisure centres to the Parliament Museum and the plenary hall.
The cause is still unknown, but authorities point to a viral origin. The Horta Hospital emergency department has already recorded nearly five hundred cases since July 1st.
Armando Faria advised people with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, or mild fever to stay at home, stay well hydrated, follow a light diet, and avoid visiting emergency services unless necessary.
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was recorded today on Faial Island, in the central group of the Azores, reported the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
The tremor was recorded at 02:37 local time (03:37 in Lisbon).
Between 1 July and 12 August, 400 people went to the emergency department due to the outbreak. The clinical director appeals for patients to wait at home if they are feeling reasonably comfortable.
The clinical director says that the causative agent of this outbreak has not yet been identified.
Schools participating in the 15th edition of the Escola Electrão initiative collected and sent 24 tonnes of batteries for recycling in the last academic year, a 36% increase compared to the previous year. Electrão, the waste management entity in Portugal, reported that the school community exceeded expectations by collecting over 515 tonnes of total waste, including electrical equipment and light bulbs. The Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School in Horta, Azores, was the winner of this edition, which involved 720 schools between September 2025 and June 2026.
The network strengthens the detection of natural and anthropogenic phenomena, as well as signals associated with human activities, such as nuclear explosions or those of military origin.
Fernando Menezes, former president of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, passed away this Tuesday, July 21, in Lisbon at the age of 74. The president of the Azorean government has declared a period of regional mourning from Tuesday to Thursday. A lawyer and member of the Socialist Party, Menezes served as a deputy and leader of the socialist parliamentary group before being elected president of the Azorean parliament in 2000, a position he held until 2008. Political leaders have paid tribute to his significant contribution to the consolidation of democracy and the regional autonomy of the Azores. Additionally, João Marques Pinto, the first president of the Serralves Foundation, has also passed away.
Costas Kadis visited the Tecnopolo-Martec in Faial, which was funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). He stated he did not expect to find such an investment on a 'small, sparsely populated island'.
Home News Historic Faial school in Portugal begins a new chapter as a luxury hotel Historic Faial school in Portugal begins a new chapter as a luxury hotel A landmark building that has been part of Faial's history for generations has been given a new lease of life.
A former high school and headquarters of the Faial Literary Guild is reborn as The Book Hotel. Literary gastronomy and bespoke experiences are the highlights of the first five-star rated establishment in the Azorean city of Horta on the island of Faial.
PSD, PS, IL, and the Left Bloc criticised the resolution project for different reasons. The government points out that it has already saved half a million per year with recent extinctions and privatisations.
Members of the Azorean parliament criticise FLAD's absence from a parliamentary committee. Chega seeks 'effective representation' of the foundation in the Azores. The PPM admits that the Executive is falling short.
