Earthquake. Civil Protection warns about the importance of knowing how to act

The director of risk management at Civil Protection emphasized the need for Portuguese citizens to be prepared for earthquakes, highlighting Portugal's vulnerability. Carlos Mendes noted that earthquakes can occur unexpectedly and that citizens should adopt self-protection behaviors. He mentioned that the most historically affected areas include Lisbon, Tejo Valley, Alentejo, and Algarve. Mendes acknowledged that while Portugal has recent seismic regulations for buildings, many structures predate these standards and could still suffer damage. He stressed the importance of public awareness exercises like "A Terra Treme" to enhance collective understanding of seismic risks. Despite a long period without significant earthquakes, he urged readiness for potential future events.