Beja, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Odemira.
Emergency services are responding to multiple wildfires across Portugal, including a major blaze in Sabóia that forced the evacuation of twenty residents. Meanwhile, a firefighter sustained serious injuries while battling a fire in the municipality of Resende, and authorities have placed over 70 municipalities under maximum fire risk due to temperatures reaching 36°C.
The Judiciary Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) has disclosed details regarding 17 contracts awarded to a construction firm owned by an associate of the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves. Records show that only one of these contracts was awarded through a competitive public tender, raising questions about the procurement process used during the minister's tenure as head of the agency.
The PJ (Polícia Judiciária) is Portugal's national criminal investigation police agency, founded in 1945. Operating under the Ministry of Justice and supervised by the Public Ministry (prosecutors), the PJ is a "higher criminal police body" specializing in serious and complex crimes. Mission: The PJ assists judicial and prosecuting authorities by investigating terrorism, organized crime, homicide, kidnapping, drug trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, financial crime, and money laundering. It conducts forensic examinations, operates Portugal's Interpol and Europol liaison offices, and maintains specialized units including the National Counterterrorism Unit and National Anti-Corruption Unit. Difference from PSP/GNR: While PSP (civilian urban police) and GNR (military rural police) focus on preventive policing, public order, and investigating minor crimes, the PJ exclusively handles serious crime investigation requiring specialized technical and scientific expertise. PSP and GNR report to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; PJ reports to the Ministry of Justice. PJ officers receive higher pay and prestige but face greater operational risk.
Luís Neves will take office on Monday as Minister of Internal Administration. He graduated in law and has worked at the Judicial Police since 1995, where he served as coordinator of a national unit and developed a long career in criminal investigation.
Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves is under fire following controversies regarding security system issues and allegations of conflicts of interest. Investigative journalist Sandra Felgueiras criticized the minister for hiring a contractor linked to his private affairs, while reports also surfaced regarding an alleged intimidation incident involving his son in Odemira.
Luís Neves will take office on Monday as Minister of Internal Administration. He graduated in law and has worked at the Judicial Police since 1995, where he served as coordinator of a national unit and developed a long career in criminal investigation.
More than 160 firefighters are currently working to contain a wildfire in the Odemira municipality, Beja district. The fire, which began in a scrubland area, has reached the vicinity of residential properties, prompting a significant mobilization of personnel and aerial support assets.
Update: Odemira wildfire now 100% contained
The wildfire in the São Luís parish of Odemira is now 100% contained, according to the Alentejo Litoral Sub-Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command. Authorities confirmed the fire was brought under control late Wednesday night, with 72 personnel and 30 vehicles remaining on-site to monitor the area.
The Association of Horticulturists of the Southwest Alentejo (AHSA) plans to build four collective housing units in Odemira with the capacity to house 2,000 seasonal immigrant workers. The project, involving an investment of 16 million euros supported by the state and private investors, aims to address the housing crisis in the agricultural sector. The association is expected to provide further details in two weeks.
The Odemira Municipal Master Plan, currently in public consultation, proposes measures that could have very serious consequences for the development of economic activity.
The 2026 edition will take place between 13 and 18 November. The omnipresence of images as a witness to 'accelerated processes of dispossession and genocidal colonial violence' is this year's theme.
The defendants include two Portuguese nationals, who have criminal records for drug trafficking, arms trafficking and criminal association, and one foreign national.
Rita Matias' father says the “Odemira Municipal Assembly has taken another shot at Charlie Kirk.” A PS deputy suggests building a memorial featuring Zé Povinho to “give a bold middle finger to racists.”
“Claiming Culture (which is not just a matter for artists) as a fundamental right of our lives,” says Hugo Cruz while launching the Odemira Art and Science Biennial: “we must not separate Art and Life.”
The attack took place on a municipal road during the day
Due to the passing of a vehicle that was travelling there, and faced with the victim's cries for help, the suspect ended up fleeing in his car.
Home News Alentejo district supporting education Alentejo district supporting education The Odemira Municipality (Beja district) will invest approximately €4.
The flames were fought by 420 personnel, supported by 141 vehicles and seven aerial assets.
The fires that broke out on Thursday in Odemira and Resende are in the resolution phase this morning, according to the Civil Protection website.
A wildfire that broke out in Odemira on Thursday afternoon (September 24) remained active and out of control early this morning, prompting authorities to reinforce the firefighting operation overnight. By The post Odemira wildfire remains out of control as firefighting effort intensifies appeared first on Portugal Resident.
However, more than 600 personnel are still engaged in fighting the flames. Also, live reporting from the slow-moving truck protest.
Approximately 650 firefighters are currently working to extinguish wildfires in the municipalities of Odemira and Resende.
An accident left two firefighters injured and a vehicle consumed by the flames.
The fire that broke out on Thursday afternoon in the municipality of Odemira, in the Beja district, remains active and has already required the reinforcement of resources on the ground, Civil Protection told Lusa today.
Flames forced the closure of some railway lines. Civil Protection reports difficulties for resources in reaching the scene of operations. Also, Portugal beats Wales 1-0.
The wildfire that broke out this afternoon in Odemira, in the Alentejo region, remains active with two fronts. The flames have since spread to Silves, in the Algarve, and some people have already been evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
The fire is consuming brush and cork oak forest. Twenty people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries.
There are currently no homes at risk and no reports of injuries.
The flames originated from a truck tyre on the EN120 road in São Teotónio, Beja.
116 personnel were mobilised, supported by four aerial assets and 30 vehicles. The fire broke out near the EN120 in Odemira. There are no reports of homes at risk.
Flames are consuming a forest area consisting of scrub, eucalyptus, cork oak, and strawberry trees near the National Road (EN120) in Vale Juncal, in the parish of São Teotónio.
The fire is consuming a forest area consisting of scrubland, eucalyptus, cork oak, and strawberry trees.
The O Homem Possível association was presented on September 5th. It combines psychology with “peer support and physical practice to care for the mental health of men” and the communities around them.
A nostalgic reflection on the music of Jorge Palma, tracing its role as a constant companion through the author's life, from youth in the Alentejo region to adulthood. The piece explores Palma's enduring influence on Portuguese culture, his ability to unite diverse artists, and his legacy as a voice for a country that often struggles with its own memory.
The victim is the suspect's mother-in-law and the young man's grandmother.
Meals prepared by non-profit social organisations, transport, scholarships and inclusion projects: the Alentejo municipality details how it will distribute the educational investment.
Choosing the second option, Chega leader André Ventura confirmed this Thursday, September 17, that the party will proceed with a new parliamentary inquiry (CPI) into the tenure of Luís Neves, the current Minister of Internal Administration, during his time as national director of the Judiciary Police (PJ). This follows a series of controversies, including one involving a construction company that had signed several contracts with the PJ and which Luís Neves hired for work on his private home in Odemira. André Ventura confirmed that after speaking with the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco—who had rejected the party's initial request the day before—the party will “narrow the scope” of the inquiry to address Aguiar-Branco's concerns regarding the separation of powers and potential interference with ongoing criminal investigations. Ventura argued that while he disagrees with the Speaker's stance, which he labels an “institutional blockade,” the party must amend its request to ensure the inquiry can proceed.
