Latest news and stories about public safety in Santarém, Portugal for expats and residents.
A major forest fire in Abrantes, Santarém, has mobilised hundreds of personnel as it spreads towards Mação, though officials report no immediate threat to residential areas.
A 64-year-old woman has died and three others are seriously injured following a bus crash into a hospital building in Tomar, with authorities currently investigating the cause of the incident.
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.
The aircraft arrived at the airfield on Sunday. The programme, valued at approximately 40 million euros, includes three more helicopters, with the second one scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2027.
The programme includes four UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, with the second aircraft scheduled to arrive in the second quarter of 2027, the third in the fourth quarter, and the final one in the first quarter of 2028.
At the scene, personnel from both Santarém fire departments were present, totaling two vehicles and six operators, alongside the PSP and the utility company.
The situation is reportedly compromising the rest, well-being, and training of students, with cases recorded where hospital assistance was required.
The cocaine was hidden inside animal hides. The operation involved the Judicial Police and foreign authorities.
The causes of the accident are being investigated by the Public Security Police (PSP).
Criminal group rams vehicle at a roundabout to force a stop and accost the victims.
The situation was reported by the vehicle's owner, who posted footage captured by her home's video surveillance system on social media.
The woman was dropped off on the road about 100 metres after the robbery.
Only one of the 282 fires recorded across the 11 municipalities took longer than 90 minutes to be resolved.
The woman was dropped off on the road about 100 metres later.
Only one of the 282 fires recorded across the 11 municipalities took longer than 90 minutes to extinguish.
A man and a woman were arrested by the Judiciary Police for allegedly scamming a 90-year-old man out of nearly 400,000 euros. Between 2022 and 2026, the suspects—aged 38 and 43, both unemployed with criminal records—devised a scheme involving fictitious car and real estate deals. The investigation revealed the victim made multiple bank transfers to the suspects' associates, which were then funneled to the woman's account, leading to additional charges of money laundering. The suspects have been released under judicial measures, including bi-weekly reporting to police, a no-contact order, and passport seizure.
The detainees, aged 38 and 43, with no defined profession or occupation and with criminal records for various offences, were brought before the competent judicial authority for the application of coercive measures.
The detainees, aged 38 and 43, have no defined profession or occupation and have criminal records for various offences.
The 50-year-old victim was allegedly held against her will for three weeks and subjected to physical violence and sexual abuse.
The 50-year-old victim was allegedly deprived of her freedom for three weeks and was a victim of physical violence and sexual abuse.
Victim met the suspect on social media. The Judiciary Police are investigating the case.
Victim met the suspect on social media. The Judiciary Police is investigating the case.
A 52-year-old man was arrested on Thursday by the Leiria Judicial Police. He started fires with matches near his home, in an area with cork oaks and eucalyptus, for motives considered trivial.
An accident at a level crossing resulted in one death in Vila Nova da Barquinha. The victim is the driver of the car that was struck by a train.
The train was travelling in the Entroncamento-Abrantes direction and the level crossing was signposted, according to a source from the Medio Tejo command.
The car ended up trapped under the train, and the driver's death was declared at the scene. Additionally, the Finance Minister believes the country's accounts are robust and capable of facing a potential crisis.
The car was dragged for several metres by the train.
The operation took place on 3 October, with 58 military personnel on the ground. Most of those arrested were suspected of drug trafficking — mainly MDMA — at a music event.
The operation took place in the municipalities of Almeirim and Chamusca, with the GNR also arresting 27 people. All were released.
