Four hospital emergency departments, including obstetrics and paediatrics units, are closed this Saturday according to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) portal. The affected facilities include hospitals in Santarém, Abrantes, Portimão, and Torres Vedras. Health authorities advise the public to contact the SNS 24 health line before traveling to any emergency department.

Update: Emergency department closures continue across four hospitals

Latest updates from the SNS portal confirm that the gynaecology and obstetrics departments at hospitals in Santarém, Abrantes, and Portimão remain closed. Additionally, the paediatric emergency unit at the Torres Vedras District Hospital is also unavailable to the public.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) and the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) reported 13 deaths and nearly 2,000 accidents during their respective Easter road safety operations. The GNR recorded ten fatalities, including a family of four, while the PSP reported three deaths in over 1,300 accidents. Authorities also conducted extensive driver inspections, resulting in numerous arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Update: Easter road fatalities rise to 16

The death toll from the Easter road safety operations has risen to at least 16, according to the latest reports from the PSP and GNR. Authorities also noted over 600 drivers were caught speeding and 81 individuals were detained for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Around one hundred firefighters are currently battling a forest fire in Arões, located in the municipality of Vale de Cambra. The blaze, which has two active fronts, is being managed by the Sub-Regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection (Comando Sub-Regional de Emergência e Proteção Civil).

A head-on collision involving three vehicles on the IC1 road in Santiago do Cacém resulted in four deaths on Friday. The victims, all members of a German family, included two parents and their two minor children. A 69-year-old individual was also seriously injured and transported by helicopter to a hospital in Lisbon.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) saw a net loss of 437 officers last year, according to the latest Annual Internal Security Report (Relatório Anual de Segurança Interna or RASI). While the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária or PJ) increased its staff, both the PSP and the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR) struggled with more departures than new recruits. The report shows that 895 elements left the PSP in 2025, while only 458 new agents joined.

More than 100 personnel and three aircraft are currently fighting a wildfire in the Pedra Bela area of the Peneda-Gerês National Park (Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês). Authorities from the Cávado Sub-regional Command for Emergency and Civil Protection (Comando Sub-regional de Emergência e Proteção Civil do Cávado) report that no homes are currently at risk. The fire broke out Saturday afternoon in the municipality of Terras de Bouro, involving multiple fire brigades and the GNR.

Update: Wildfire in Peneda-Gerês National Park brought under control

Emergency services have brought the fire in Terras de Bouro under control (dominado), with the status downgraded to the resolution phase (resolução) as of Sunday afternoon. While 81 personnel and 22 vehicles remain on-site for mop-up operations (rescaldo), the immediate threat to the national park has subsided. One aerial asset was used throughout the morning to douse remaining hotspots in difficult-to-access terrain.

The National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) is facing criticism over claims that some staff are operating emergency vehicles without updated driving training. Former officials also allege that a lack of investment and disputes over helicopter service contracts have compromised the quality of care. These internal conflicts led some candidates to refuse leadership roles within the agency last year. Those requiring emergency medical assistance should be aware of potential service delays during ongoing labor disputes.

A fire in an apartment building garage in Setúbal has left 30 residents displaced (desalojados) after the structure lost electricity and water services. The blaze destroyed one vehicle and damaged three others, with the resulting smoke causing significant damage to the building's infrastructure. Setúbal residents should note that the Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária) are currently investigating the cause of the fire to determine if it was intentional.

The government has approved a 4.3 million euro expenditure to equip police forces with 1,500 new tasers this year. The non-lethal electric weapons will be distributed between the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) and the National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana or GNR). The Ministry of Internal Administration (Ministério da Administração Interna) stated the move aims to improve operational effectiveness and safety for officers. Residents should note that the rollout is planned for 2026.