A recent vehicle fire in the Encumeada Tunnel has reignited debate about the frequency of such incidents in Madeira. A review of regional press identified several similar incidents in the island's tunnels over the past two decades.
Records include cases in 2004 near Caniço, multiple incidents in 2008 and 2013, and more recent occurrences in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2024.
While the facts confirm these incidents are not unprecedented and are spread across various tunnels and over more than 20 years, the chronological analysis does not show a continuous rise. There were years with more than one case and periods with no reported incidents.
