Portugal travel warning for UK tourists after 'serious episode'

A Portugal travel warning has been issued - as Lisbon is rocked by violence. Portugal's capital experienced a second night of riots into the early hours of Wednesday morning, triggered by the death of Odair Moniz, a Cape Verdean man who was shot and killed by a police officer late on Sunday night.

Unrest returned to areas including Amadora near Lisbon, with bins and even buses set on fire. "Today, regrettably, we once again witnessed situations of disorder within the Zambujal neighbourhood ... with the theft of a Carris bus that was subsequently set on fire," Portugal's police force (PSP) said in a statement.

Explaining that it had sent additional police to the area, the PSP added that it had made an arrest "for possession of combustible material, indicated it would be used to start a fire". Representatives from the PSP described the unrest as a "serious episode of urban violence"

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In another statement, the PSP said that it "repudiates and will not tolerate acts of disorder and destruction practised by criminal groups intent on defying the authority of the state and disturbing the security of the community".

wo police officers were injured in the municipalities of Amadora and Oeiras "as a result of stone-throwing, both of whom required hospital treatment and one of whom went on sick leave". Two passengers on one of the buses that was set on fire were stabbed, "allegedly by the individuals who stole and set fire to the vehicle", the PSP said.

The Minister of Internal Affairs described the events as "unacceptable disturbances" that prevent "communities going about their normal lives". Portugal's President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, announced that he has been "closely monitoring the events of the last 48 hours, and was in contact with the government and the mayors of Amadora and Oeiras".