Latest news and stories about emergency services in Santarém, Portugal for expats and residents.
An investigation has been launched into the death of a 73-year-old woman in Santarém after emergency services took nearly 30 minutes to respond to a call for help, forcing her family to transport her to the hospital themselves.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa says the immediate priority in the affected areas is to restore electricity and communications after widespread outages that have left almost 200,000 customers without power and some communities—such as Colmeias and Memória in Leiria—isolated. Speaking after a journey to Ferreira do Zêzere during which he was “almost always without communications”, he warned of long‑standing structural weaknesses, urged caution and calm, and called for a collective, coordinated State response with preventive measures to manage the emergency.
According to David Lobato, the cleaning and removal work of woody material brought down by storm Kristin is underway in the most affected municipalities.
Among the victims are three children and four adults.
The situation forced the evacuation of residents in the vicinity and the creation of a 250-metre perimeter around the site.
28 personnel were on site, supported by seven vehicles from the Minde Fire Department and an air ambulance from INEM. The GNR is investigating the causes of the accident.
The accident, which blocked traffic in both directions for several hours, occurred around 8:30 am near the A23 junction connecting to Entroncamento. The fatality is a 49-year-old man.
The medical emergency vehicle (VMER) from Santarém hospital took almost half an hour to reach the home of Tereza Pereira. The woman died at the hospital, where she had been taken by her son.
The medical emergency vehicle (VMER) from Santarém hospital took almost half an hour to reach the home of Tereza Pereira. The woman died at the hospital, where she had been taken by her son.
The victim's family, Tereza Pereira, says they will take legal action against the INEM and the Public Prosecutor's Office. The woman, who suffered from heart problems, waited 30 minutes for help in Santarém.
Tereza Pereira's family accuses the INEM of taking nearly half an hour to arrive at a medical emergency in Santarém.
A 57-year-old victim was driving a tractor when a three-tonne concrete gantry fell on him.
Fábio and his mother, Francisca, were transported to Santarém Hospital.
Fábio and his mother, Francisca, were transported to Santarém Hospital.
The president of the Intermunicipal Community of Médio Tejo (CIM), Manuel Jorge Valamatos, warns on public radio about a summer where one of the main constraints is the difficulty of accessing forest land following the storms that affected several municipalities in this region. The fallen trees could delay the initial attack on fires, which is considered essential to prevent them from growing in scale.
The president of the Intermunicipal Community of Médio Tejo (CIM), Manuel Jorge Valamatos, warns on public radio about a summer where one of the main constraints is the difficulty of accessing forest land following the storms that affected several municipalities in this region. Fallen trees could delay the initial response to fires, which is considered essential to prevent them from growing in scale.
Civil Protection anticipates a 'complicated' summer due to the accumulation of fallen trees and forest fuel. Médio Tejo has already recorded 66 fires in 2026; in the summer, it will have 448 personnel on duty.
The Médio Tejo region will maintain a 'muscular initial attack' strategy against rural fires this year, despite a slight reduction in human resources, during a summer that civil protection anticipates will be 'complicated' due to accumulated combustible material.
Storm 'Kristin' destroyed the family's home in Ourém. Three and a half months have passed. Maria, Manuel, and their son, Nelson, are still living in a council apartment.
Emergency services were dispatched 10 minutes after INEM received the call for help and were sent to the wrong address.
Emergency services were dispatched 10 minutes after INEM received the call for help and were sent to the wrong address.
Cargo was left scattered across the road.
The National Republican Guard (GNR) has reinforced its appeal for caution during the pilgrimage to Fátima. During a press conference on Saturday, May 9, the GNR highlighted the need for increased vigilance among pilgrims due to weather conditions. Lieutenant-Colonel Carlos Canatário urged both pilgrims and drivers to exercise extra care on the roads. The GNR has launched the 'Safe Pilgrimage 2026' operation, deploying 200 officers daily, and will utilize drones for surveillance and anti-drone technology to secure the sanctuary. Additional advice was provided regarding the prevention of theft and the risks of using headphones while walking.
Nearly half a million pilgrims are expected for May 12th and 13th.
The operation will have two phases, the first of which runs until the 11th, focusing more on the safety of pilgrims in transit.
Two soldiers were transported to a hospital this Tuesday, May 5, following an incident during a parachute training course in Tancos while performing a jump. The military branch stated that emergency medical services were immediately activated, with the soldiers receiving assistance on-site from Army and INEM teams before being taken to hospital. The Army has also provided psychological support to ensure care for the soldiers involved and their families. An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the incident.
Cables remain hanging over the public road, a situation that has reportedly already caused problems when a heavy goods vehicle became entangled in the wires, causing material damage in the surrounding area.
The sub-regional commander for Emergency and Civil Protection of Médio Tejo warned of the need to strengthen prevention measures.
At least three of the injured were transported to Santarém Hospital.
Upon the arrival of emergency services, the child went into cardiorespiratory arrest.
