Latest news and stories about emergency services in Setúbal, Portugal for expats and residents.
The Almada City Council has extended the municipal alert status regarding water supply until August 31, citing high temperatures and increased tourism despite reservoir levels reaching 78%.
The municipality of Almada has implemented overnight water cuts from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM as reserves drop to 10% capacity, sparking public unrest and protests amid a deepening supply crisis.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital in Almada faced temporary emergency department closures due to staffing roster issues and an influx of births, while separate concerns arise over the closure of a Family Health Unit in Alverca due to facility maintenance failures.
The Portuguese government is considering extending the national state of alert into next week as extreme heat and ongoing wildfires, particularly in Vouzela, continue to threaten the region.
A garbage truck crash in Costa da Caparica has resulted in one worker being trapped and the total closure of the IC20 highway, with emergency services currently on the scene.
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A woman in Palmela has died after waiting over an hour for emergency medical assistance, highlighting critical concerns regarding the availability and maintenance of emergency vehicles.
Dragão Vermelho beach in Costa da Caparica has been closed to swimming following a fatal drowning incident and recurring safety concerns, with the ban remaining in effect until sand replenishment is completed.
A new regional gynaecology and obstetrics emergency service has launched on the Setúbal Peninsula, operating across the Garcia de Orta and São Bernardo hospitals while relying on a mix of permanent and temporary medical staff.
The Garcia de Orta Hospital faces potential overcrowding and staffing shortages as it becomes a regional hub following the permanent closure of the Barreiro obstetrics emergency department.
A fire in a Setúbal apartment building garage has displaced 30 residents, destroyed one vehicle, and caused significant infrastructure damage, prompting an investigation by the Judiciary Police.
Mayors in Barreiro are opposing the closure of the obstetrics and gynaecology emergency unit, citing that over 16,000 births have occurred there between 2014 and 2024. They find the decision to close the unit incomprehensible, especially in light of ongoing healthcare challenges, such as ambulances being held for hours at other emergency departments due to high patient volumes.
The Almada City Council has extended the alert status due to ongoing landslide risks on the cliffs of Costa da Caparica and Porto Brandão, following several incidents that have occurred since the onset of recent storms.
Update: Ongoing Landslide Risks The municipality of Almada has recorded several landslides on the cliffs of Costa da Caparica and Porto Brandão, a situation that has not yet been resolved.
An elderly woman tragically passed away in the emergency room of Gracia de Orta Hospital in Almada while waiting for medical attention after being triaged and moved to the clinical observation area.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has proposed discussions on establishing a disaster fund in Portugal to address damages from increasing natural disasters, such as recent floods. During a visit to the flooded area of Alcácer do Sal, he highlighted the need for financial relief for businesses affected by such calamities, especially those without insurance. He noted that similar funds exist in the European Union and emphasized the opportunity presented by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) to support this initiative.
Clarisse Campos, the mayor of Alcácer do Sal, expressed a sense of hope and community resilience in the aftermath of the recent floods that devastated the municipality. In an interview with CNN Portugal, she emphasized the collective desire to rebuild and support one another during this challenging time.
Authorities in Alcácer do Sal report a 'brutal' and rapid rise in the Sado river's flow but say the situation remains under control. Civil Protection is monitoring conditions, has evacuation plans ready should riverside areas flood, and expects the flow to rise slightly more before beginning a slower fall from around 04:00—timing that will depend on further rainfall and dam management decisions. Updates will hinge on precipitation forecasts and operational releases from upstream infrastructure.
The 70-year-old victim suffered a sudden illness at Praia da Saúde. They were assisted by a lifeguard and the INEM emergency services.
Carlos Ribeiro, skipper of the fishing vessel 'Sebastião Paulo', has already provided statements to the Maritime Police. Searches for the missing fisherman continue.
Starting Sunday, the search will be resumed by the NRP Sagitário.
Six people were rescued after a boat sank in Sesimbra. One person remains missing.
Authorities have resumed the search for a crew member from a vessel that sank on Friday off the coast of Sesimbra, in the Setúbal district, expanding the search area, the Portuguese Navy announced.
The Portuguese Navy highlights that “the search area has been expanded”.
The victims, five with minor injuries and one seriously injured, were taken to a hospital unit.
Six of the boat's occupants were pulled from the water showing signs of hypothermia. The search for the missing person involves three ships and an aircraft. The causes of the accident are still unknown.
One person is missing and six have been rescued following the sinking of a fishing vessel off the coast of Sesimbra this Friday, September 11. The alert was received at 10:25 am via another fishing boat in the vicinity that recovered the six survivors. According to a statement from the Navy, five of the survivors sustained minor injuries and one is in serious condition. The crew reported that the missing individual disappeared as the vessel sank. Lénia do Anjos, the local municipal councillor for Civil Protection, stated on Facebook that five of the rescued individuals were taken to hospital. She emphasised that the priority is to continue the search for the missing person with all available rescue resources. Search operations are currently underway involving the NRP Bartolomeu Dias, NRP Figueira da Foz, NRP Sagitário, a Sesimbra lifeboat, two Maritime Police vessels, and a Portuguese Air Force aircraft.
Authorities are on the scene. The vessel was reportedly carrying seven people, six of whom have already been rescued.
Elements of the Maritime Police and the Air Force are engaged in the search operations.
The Navy and the National Maritime Authority are currently conducting searches for the missing person
