Mannequins on Sagres cliffs prompt public notice

Figures that look like people stranded on the rocks along the Sagres coast are being placed there for a rescue exercise, Vila do Bispo Council has explained.

By Tereza Pedro, in News · 06 Nov 2026, 11:03 · 0 Comments

Credits: Pexels; Author: MAURIZIO CATALUCCI;

The mannequins are being positioned in areas that are difficult to reach between Tonel and Cape St Vincent, ahead of FALEX 2026, a weekend event dedicated to cliff rescue and civil protection.

As reported by Algarve Marafado, the council has asked residents and visitors to leave the figures where they are and avoid raising false alarms about their presence. They form part of the exercise and will remain in position until Sunday, 8 November, when they will be removed after training has finished.

The request applies specifically to the mannequins placed for the exercise. The council has appealed to the public not to touch, move or interfere with them while preparations and training are underway.

People in Sagres should also expect to see emergency crews and vehicles moving around the area over the weekend. In an earlier notice, the municipality explained that these movements are part of the planned activities and should not cause alarm.

There will be a practical impact on parking. The parking area on Rua do Mercado, beside the Clésio Ricardo Pavilion, will be closed from Friday, 6 November, through Sunday, 8 November, inclusive.

Emergency vehicle movements are expected to be particularly noticeable on Sunday, when the operational exercise takes place. The council has asked drivers to follow the signs and keep access clear so that crews can move through the area.

For anyone visiting Sagres during these three days, the parking closure and additional emergency traffic are therefore worth keeping in mind when planning a stop near the pavilion.

Now in its third edition, FALEX brings together professionals and organisations working in civil protection, emergency response and rescue. Vila do Bispo Council organises the event through its Municipal Civil Protection Service.

The programme runs on 7 and 8 November, with the Clésio Ricardo Pavilion hosting activities. Saturday’s technical seminar will cover earthquakes, storms, rope rescue techniques, drones and the use of new technology in civil protection.

Workshops will give participants the opportunity to put different techniques into practice. These sessions, along with the operational exercise, are reserved for professionals working in the sector.

Sunday’s exercise will focus on testing procedures and improving how the participating teams work together during incidents on coastal cliffs. The aim is to strengthen coordination between crews and make their response more effective in places where access can be difficult.

The mannequins are part of that preparation, providing the figures teams will work with during the simulated rescue scenarios. Until the exercise ends, the council is asking the public to give crews room to work and leave the training equipment undisturbed.