A British woman, aged 85, died on Saturday as a result of the passage of Storm Claudia through Albufeira, in the Algarve. At least 28 other people were injured in the region, including two seriously. The atmospheric phenomenon that has affected Portugal in recent days has claimed three lives in total.
An extreme wind phenomenon, likened to a tornado, resulted in six casualties at the Albufeira Camping Park, including two serious injuries, three minor injuries, and one fatality. The victims included people of Portuguese, French, British, and Spanish nationalities, most of whom sustained traumas and multiple injuries.
The campsite reported that the area affected by the strong winds “remains isolated and closed,” with the rest of the site evacuated according to the authorities’ instructions.
A dedicated channel was established for relatives and guests requiring information, accessible via the phone number 00351289587630 and a priority service email at ge***@**************ra.net.
At a hotel in Albufeira, there were 23 minor injuries reported, four of whom were transported to Faro Hospital, according to the district commander of regional rescue operations.
The meteorologist from the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA), Paula Leitão, stated that the phenomenon that struck the Albufeira Camping Park and resulted in one fatality on Saturday morning “was clearly a tornado.”
Of the 28 victims, six children, aged between two months and seven years, suffered minor injuries. The remaining were 23 adults, aged between 24 and 70, according to Carlos Raposa from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM).
The alert for the occurrence was given at 10:07 a.m., confirmed by the Regional Emergency and Civil Protection Command of the Algarve, with 62 operatives and 25 vehicles mobilized.
The municipality of Silves also experienced a similar phenomenon at 11:48 a.m., causing structural damage and tree falls. Two people were left homeless and received assistance from the Municipal Civil Protection Service.
“Whenever there is a death – and there had already been two – we cannot help but lament”
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was the first to respond to the incident, expressing “his solidarity with the relatives of the victim of Storm Claudia.”
“President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also sends his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured,” read the note published on the Presidency’s website.
Later, the head of state extended a “word of solidarity” for the fatalities of Storm Claudia, which now stands at three.
“We know how intense the impact of this storm was in the Algarve, as it was in Greater Lisbon, but whenever there is a death – and there had already been two – we cannot help but lament and empathize with the suffering,” he stated.
He noted, however, that “the Portuguese were very disciplined and very sensible” in the past few days, particularly in their response to the storm.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, lamented the death of an 85-year-old woman in Albufeira, Faro, after the region was struck by an extreme wind phenomenon.
The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, took to the social network X (Twitter) to offer “heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased” at the Albufeira Camping Park, also praising the Civil Protection’s efforts in the face of the adverse weather.
“Faced with an extreme atmospheric phenomenon in Albufeira, the Civil Protection responded with full commitment and the utmost speed, as has been the practice during this demanding weather week. Unfortunately, severe consequences could not be avoided. I express heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim and wish a swift recovery to the injured,” he wrote.
The presidential candidate and leader of Chega also expressed solidarity with the families affected by the severe weather, particularly in Albufeira.
“This was a terrible day. I had the opportunity this morning to express my solidarity with all the families affected nationwide by this severe weather incident and the depression we are facing, particularly in Albufeira,” said André Ventura, who indicated he received “assurances that everything is being done to ensure people’s safety and that it will not further harm their lives or cause greater damage.”
Two seniors were the first victims of Storm Claudia
It is recalled that an elderly couple died on Thursday after their home was flooded due to heavy rain overnight in Pinhal de General, in the parish of Fernão Ferro.
The President of Seixal Council indicated that the house was built illegally, without municipal licensing, and is located near a water line, stating to agency Lusa that the process for infrastructure development and water course regulation is underway.
Meanwhile, the Civil Protection Association (APROSOC) held the Seixal Council and Fernão Ferro parish accountable for the elderly couple’s death, arguing they should be tried “for gross omissions,” considering the “urban planning that allowed this risky dwelling to exist without apparent geotechnical and hydrological assessment.”
APROSOC further noted that Fernão Ferro parish council “failed in its duties” to collaborate with the Municipal Civil Protection Service in prevention actions and risk and vulnerability assessments within its geographical area.
“These factors were, in our belief, decisive for the death of our fellow citizens, and in defense of public interest, it is believed that such gross omissions should face criminal proceedings to prevent these practices from being perpetuated in this and other municipalities,” it appealed.
The municipal bodies, in turn, lamented that “although the causes of the incident have not yet been determined, there are those who feel entitled to comment on them, without any sense of responsibility and rigor.”
