The Municipality of Machico needed to carry out protective intervention in the Maroços area, and hired a Spanish helicopter and crew to help with the construction of the barrier.
Arriving on Saturday, the Spanish helicopter’s presence caused general concern among residents, with many ringing 112 to report its activity in the area.
Today, on its Facebook page, the City Council finally solved the mystery: “last Saturday, a complex operation to transport materials by helicopter took place, as part of the installation of a dynamic barrier to protect against falling rock blocks in the Maroços area.”
The barrier consists of 19 pieces, each weighing around 600kg and 4 metres in height, in a difficult-to-access area. This action required the temporary closure of Estrada dos Maroços to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The municipality also explains that the intervention “is part of a municipal investment of around 215 thousand euros, which aims to protect nearby houses and strengthen local safety measures. The barrier will be 170 meters long, state-of-the-art technology and capable of absorbing impacts up to 1500 kJ.”
