Lisboa, Portugal
Latest news and stories from Vila Franca de Xira.
A fire broke out at the DHL company warehouses in Alverca, in the Vialonga area. This is the second time this month that the facilities have been affected.
A new satellite production facility, the Alverca Space Hub, is being built at the Air Force (Força Aérea) installations in Alverca and is expected to be completed by mid-2024. The 1.5 million euro factory will initially produce eight radar satellites for the Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlântico). The project aims to establish Portugal's capacity to build and operate satellites for both domestic and European use.\n\nUpdate: Portugal launches six satellites including first national radar equipment\n\nPortugal successfully launched six new satellites into space on Monday aboard a SpaceX rocket from California. The launch included the country's first radar satellite for Earth observation and four satellites named after famous Portuguese authors, which form the Lusíada constellation (Constelação Lusíada). These new assets will allow for real-time image capture regardless of weather conditions or light levels.
The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea) is Portugal’s military branch for defending national airspace and conducting aerial operations. Created in 1952, it also carries out search-and-rescue, aerial reconnaissance and disaster support such as photographing floods or moving emergency teams. Residents in affected regions may see its planes and helicopters used during storms and relief missions.
The Atlantic Constellation (Constelação do Atlântico) is a collaborative space initiative between Portugal and Spain involving a network of small satellites for Earth observation. These satellites provide real-time data on maritime safety, climate change, and biodiversity across the Atlantic region. The project is linked to the Alverca Space Hub, a satellite factory in Portugal expected to finish construction in mid-2024.
The Lusíada constellation (Constelação Lusíada) is a group of four Portuguese satellites launched to monitor Earth and maritime activities. Named after literary figures like Luís de Camões and Fernando Pessoa, these satellites are part of Portugal's space strategy.
A group of 13 mayors from the Lisbon and Setúbal regions are requesting urgent parliamentary hearings to oppose the centralization of gynaecology and obstetrics emergency departments (urgências). The government plan involves closing local units in Barreiro and Vila Franca de Xira to consolidate services in larger regional hospitals like Almada and Loures. Residents in the affected areas should be aware that local leaders warn these closures will increase travel times and risks for expectant mothers.
Emergency departments (urgências) are hospital units that provide 24/7 unscheduled care for serious injuries and sudden illnesses, using triage to prioritise the most urgent cases. For expats, call 112 for life‑threatening emergencies or use the SNS24 helpline (808 24 24 24) for medical advice; expect long waits in public urgências during busy periods and consider private urgências if you have health insurance and need faster care.
The president of the Vila Franca de Xira municipality said the possible permanent closure of obstetric emergency services at the local hospital is of “the greatest gravity,” and that the five municipalities served by the unit will contest the decision with the Government and bring the issue to Parliament. The move signals organised local resistance and could prompt national debate about how smaller hospitals retain urgent maternity services. Residents served by the hospital should follow municipal announcements and local political developments.
During the robbery, the youths took €450 and the victim's mobile phone. After appearing before a judge, they were released under identity and residence requirements and must report to authorities periodically.
An off-duty GNR officer alerted colleagues. Videos and photographs released by CM helped locate the vehicle.
The crime occurred at the Alhandra station. The officer had to fire a shot to escape the assault.
The businesses of the biotechnology group A4F are for sale, including the green hydrogen producer Hychem, the former Solvay Portugal, which was acquired about six years ago. “We have many interested parties, several proposals on the table,” says founder and main shareholder Manuel Gil Antunes, in conversation with ECO, assuming that the...
The elderly woman was in need of urgent medical assistance and was taken to the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital.
From 43 applications submitted to the Biennial Photography Prize, seven finalist artists were selected. Sérgio Gomes considered that the projects “are the best that have been seen.”
Nurse Paulo Rita, 53, was returning home after a shift at the Vila Franca de Xira VMER when he was struck. The driver, then 21, is accused of negligent homicide.
In 11 of the 24 most populous municipalities, prices accelerated in the first months of 2026 compared to the previous quarter. Guimarães and Vila Franca de Xira recorded the largest increases.
Pedro Gamado guides the Portuguese team to the upcoming Deep Sea World Championship.
A 25-year-old Brazilian man was expelled from the hospital.
The singer had made an appeal to recover the equipment.
The refusal to count points for 'progression purposes' has caused a feeling of devaluation among nurses. The hospital is the only former PPP in this situation. They are calling for measures to 'retain nurses'.
Following a breakdown that disrupted the Family Health Unit, the council denies responsibility and demands that the Central Administration fund the renovation of HVAC systems in the municipality's health centres.
The conversion of the Vialonga factory will be completed in four years, with a total investment of €135 million.
A Global Witness report reveals that Portugal is among the affected countries. In Alverca, levels reached 205 µg/m³ — almost double the WHO limit.
User committees criticise the closure of the Gago Coutinho Family Health Unit in Alverca due to a climate control system failure. The Local Health Unit guarantees there is a contingency plan and that it will reopen on Friday.
User committees classify the situation as “incomprehensible” and maintain that the lack of maintenance of the facilities cannot prevent access to primary healthcare.
The PSP of Vila Franca de Xira arrested a 40-year-old man with a history of domestic violence against family members.
An 83-year-old man was arrested for disobedience and the crime of resisting and coercing a public official in Vila Franca de Xira.
10 arrests were made for road traffic offences, including six for driving under the influence of alcohol, three for driving without a valid licence, and one for disobedience due to refusal to take a breathalyser test.
During a pursuit, a man was seen taking several sachets out of a shoulder bag and hiding them next to the wheel of a parked vehicle.
Members of the Vila Franca de Xira Volunteer Fire Department located and recovered the victim from the water to the riverbank.
The body of a 22-year-old Brazilian national was recovered late Saturday morning, July 4, after he allegedly entered the water in a riverside area of Vila Franca de Xira, according to the National Maritime Authority (AMN). Following a search coordinated by the Lisbon Port Captain and local Maritime Police commander, volunteer firefighters from Vila Franca de Xira located and recovered the victim. The death was declared at the scene by the health delegate, and the body was transported to the Lisbon Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. The Maritime Police psychology office was activated to provide support. The search began earlier that morning following an alert received at 08:45 by the Lisbon Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (MRCC Lisboa), involving firefighters, the Cascais Lifeboat Station, the Maritime Police, the Forensic Diving Group, the PSP, and INEM.
The body of the 22-year-old Brazilian national was found following searches at the scene, coordinated by the harbourmaster and local commander of the Lisbon Maritime Police.
The suspect was caught in the Vila Franca de Xira area. He was storing hashish marked with the logo of one of the world's biggest drug traffickers.
The alert was received at 8:45 am.
Doctor Emuna Mia began the scheme about 20 years ago in the Vila Franca de Xira area. The total number of beneficiaries is unknown. Those identified will serve as witnesses.
The 94th edition of the Colete Encarnado takes place between July 3rd and 5th in the city of Vila Franca de Xira, featuring headliners Toy, D.A.M.A, and Fernando Daniel.
The municipality of Vila Franca de Xira welcomes the arrival of the first stage of the sixth edition of the Women's Volta a Portugal cycling race, sponsored by Jogos Santa Casa.
