Emergency services were called out to Praia Formosa this afternoon as a large section of rock collapsed onto the promenade, near the Orca Praia Hotel.
The A & E Department of the Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital was immediately put on high alert, as at the time no one knew how many victims there would be. However, only three people needed immediate attention, and this was as a precaution. However, contrary to what was announced earlier, the Regional Health Secretary, Pedro Ramos, confirmed that two people were injured in the landslide: a 5-year-old child and an adult, both of whom are shocked and bruised. The child was accompanied by its mother, who was not hurt in the incident.
Later on this evening, the President of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque stated that the rock face had been inspected in June of this year, and had given no cause for concern. He confirmed that the promenade will be closed for the next couple of days while the incident is investigated, and that the area will be cleared and re-opened as soon as possible.
On site are teams from the Sapadores of Funchal, Portuguese Red Cross and Maritime Police.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
