“We took advantage of the meeting (…) to look at this as a real test of our response capabilities in the event of a real catastrophe,” Paulo Rangel said in statements to journalists after leaving a meeting at the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), in Carnaxide, Oeiras.

The Minister of State and Foreign Affairs and acting Prime Minister considered that the earthquake allowed us to verify whether or not the “resources are ready”.

Paulo Rangel added that prevention strategies were discussed during the meeting.

“The plans have been tested for a long time, and they need to be constantly updated and renewed, and so there was some projection for the future in order to prepare Portuguese structures, national and regional civil protection, and the population in general so that we have the capacity to respond,” he said.

The earthquake, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 05:11 and had its epicentre 58 kilometres west of Sines, in the district of Setúbal. It has not caused any personal or material damage so far, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

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