Latest news and stories about emergency services in travel in Portugal for expats and residents.
A Jet2.com Boeing 737-800 carrying 141 passengers from the UK to Gran Canaria made an emergency landing at Gago Coutinho International Airport in Faro this Thursday. The pilot declared an emergency after smoke was reported in the cabin, prompting the activation of the airport's emergency intervention plan. All passengers disembarked safely, and the aircraft is undergoing a technical inspection.
The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio de Sousa, confirmed that approximately 700 citizens have returned to Portugal from the Middle East via state-sponsored flights. The repatriation efforts involved aircraft from TAP and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa) to assist those fleeing the regional conflict. Residents with family in the region should note that additional commercial flights, including from Emirates, continue to bring more citizens home.
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 National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) is evaluating the potential termination of night-time medical helicopter transport as part of a broader government restructuring plan, with alternative coverage provided by VMER teams.
Eight individuals received medical treatment for smoke inhalation following a hotel fire in Lisbon that was reported at 04:30 and successfully extinguished by 05:06.
The Government has extended the state of calamity until 8 February and activated the National Civil Protection Emergency Plan nationwide in anticipation of Storm Kristin and other adverse weather expected in the coming days. The measures are intended to pre-emptively mobilise emergency services, coordinate national and local authorities, protect critical infrastructure and streamline relief efforts. The decision reflects elevated forecast risk and highlights priorities for rapid response: targeted resource deployment, clear public guidance, and post-event assessment of vulnerabilities and policy effectiveness.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a yellow warning for the Madeira archipelago today due to strong winds. The advisory signals elevated risk to public safety and potential disruption to transport and maritime operations; residents and visitors are advised to follow local guidance and monitor updates from authorities. The situation warrants vigilance but does not currently indicate the most severe weather categories.
Following post-depression Kristin, the Government has declared a state of calamity for 60 municipalities as Civil Protection warns of an elevated flood risk in the coming days. The measure centralises resources and fast‑tracks emergency funding, placing urgent demands on local services for evacuation planning, infrastructure inspections and continuous minute-by-minute weather monitoring. Authorities urge residents to follow official updates, prepare for possible evacuations and heed flood warnings as forecasts evolve.
The meteorological institute has issued red warnings for extremely rough seas — with swells up to 15 metres — for Porto, Braga and Viana do Castelo overnight from Friday into Saturday, while the broader west coast remains on orange. The three districts will be downgraded to an orange warning between 03:00 and 18:00 on Saturday. Authorities warn of significant risk to maritime operations, coastal infrastructure and public safety; residents and mariners are advised to avoid the shore, follow local advisories and expect disruptions to ferry services and port activity.
Storm Kristin swept across Portugal, entering near Leiria and causing widespread destruction particularly in the Centre and West. By 22:00 on Wednesday the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection had logged around 5,400 incidents; high winds uprooted trees, ripped roofs from buildings and disrupted services. Local authorities and Civil Protection have been responding minute-by-minute to damage and casualties, although casualty figures were reported inconsistently during the day. The situation remains dynamic as emergency teams continue operations and meteorological services monitor the depression’s evolution over the coming hours.
Depression Kristin, following storm Joseph, is set to cross Portugal and has prompted Civil Protection to raise the special state of readiness to level 4 along the coastal strip from Viana do Castelo to Setúbal. Authorities expect the most critical period around 04:00; by 22:00 more than 1,500 incidents had been recorded and one person died in Vila Franca de Xira after a tree fell on a car. This minute-by-minute briefing tracks developments, emergency responses and public-safety impacts as the situation unfolds.
As of 20:00 on Monday mainland Portugal had logged 713 weather-related incidents, concentrated in the North and the Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions. Heavy rain forced road closures in Arcos de Valdevez and Caminha, flooded homes in Ponte de Lima and left one family homeless in Oeiras; emergency services remain active dealing with blockages and property damage. The situation highlights localized flash flooding and transport disruption, with authorities monitoring conditions and clearing affected routes.
Depression Ingrid has already triggered more than 700 recorded incidents across Portugal, prompting almost the entire mainland to be placed on level 3 special readiness until Saturday. The combination of heavy snow inland and very rough seas along the coast has generated widespread disruptions to transport, power and local services, placing sustained strain on emergency responders and public-safety operations. The high incident count underscores both the intensity of the system and the challenges of coordinating resources across multiple affected districts; continued vigilance is warranted as further snowfall and coastal deterioration are expected before conditions ease.
Storm Ingrid swept across mainland Portugal, bringing worsening weather that forced the closure of dozens of schools—especially in northern districts—and disrupted transport and public services. This live tracker monitors minute-by-minute developments, reports on emergency services' response, safety advisories for the public, transport interruptions and localised impacts on communities and infrastructure. The page focuses on evolving risks, operational updates from authorities and practical guidance for parents, commuters and vulnerable residents.
IPMA has issued a red warning after heavy snow affected Porto, Braga and three other districts for several hours. Authorities warn of possible serious traffic disruptions and localized impacts on supplies and services; emergency and transport agencies are being mobilised to maintain safety and restore critical links.
Depression Ingrid will reach Portugal from Thursday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, snow at higher elevations and extremely rough seas with waves up to 15 metres. IPMA has issued a red warning for the entire coastline for dangerous coastal conditions and a yellow warning for heavy rain at times; authorities and emergency services are urging the public to avoid coastal areas and follow safety guidance. Impacts may include flooding, coastal damage and transport disruption.
Fifteen mainland Portugal districts are under a yellow warning for snow and sea swell until 18:00. Authorities and emergency services are monitoring conditions and advising the public to take precautions against disruption to transport and coastal hazards.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) warns that the low-pressure system 'Francis' will begin affecting the Portuguese mainland from Thursday. Stronger winds are expected from Thursday afternoon, with light rain forecast for New Year’s Day mainly on the west coast spreading inland; no rain is expected on New Year’s Eve.
A low-pressure system named Francis is forecast to affect Madeira at around 03:00, prompting an orange weather warning for the early hours. Emergency services have issued alerts advising the public to take precautions against heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding, with authorities monitoring conditions and readiness for response.
Three Spaniards and one Serbian were found to be in good physical condition and in no need of medical assistance, and were rescued by the ship Zaire.
The search began on Saturday, but only yielded results on Sunday morning.
The 50-year-old tourist reportedly suffered serious injuries. The GNR's protection and rescue unit is currently rescuing the victim.
The Airbus A321 was heading towards Frankfurt, Germany.
A 30-year-old woman was transported to the hospital in Chaves.
The crew member was rescued by the ship 'NRP Figueira da Foz', which was on a mission in the Azores Maritime Zone. The sailor is doing well and did not require any urgent medical treatment.
The sailor is “well, with no urgent medical treatment required”
Crew members received assistance due to smoke inhalation.
The plane had just departed from London when the crew detected a burning smell. The aircraft had to make an emergency landing and only continued its journey several hours later.
A 50-year-old Spanish woman broke her arm.
Reinforced surveillance on some beaches during Easter, one of the periods with the highest number of drownings, in a context where most sandy beaches remain without surveillance.
