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What are the emergency phone numbers in the 3 countries of the Triple Frontier?
Marco Três newsroom · edited by Annie Grellmann
Police, fire and medical emergency in Foz do Iguaçu, Puerto Iguazú and Ciudad del Este
In Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu), the numbers are 190 (Military Police), 192 (SAMU ambulance) and 193 (Fire Department). In Argentina (Puerto Iguazú), use 911 (emergency center) or 101 (police), 100 for fire and 107 for medical emergencies. In Paraguay (Ciudad del Este), use 911 (National Police), 132 (Volunteer Fire Department) and 141 (medical emergency/SEME). The numbers change when you cross the bridge.
At the Triple Frontier, each side of the bridge has its own emergency number. What works in Foz do Iguaçu does not automatically work in Puerto Iguazú or Ciudad del Este. Save all three sets in your phone before you cross.
Brazil — Foz do Iguaçu
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Military Police | 190 |
| SAMU (medical emergency) | 192 |
| Fire Department | 193 |
| Civil Defense | 199 |
According to the Public Security Secretariat, these are the official urgency and emergency numbers in Brazil. Calls are free and available 24 hours. Through the same dispatch center, foreign visitors can also complete an emergency call using 112 (used by visitors from Europe) and 911 (used by visitors from the United States) when calling from their own cell phones.
Argentina — Puerto Iguazú
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency Center (police/ambulance) | 911 |
| Police (direct line) | 101 |
| Fire | 100 |
| Medical emergency (SAME) | 107 |
| Civil Defense | 103 |
| Maritime/river emergency (Naval Prefecture) | 106 |
| Gender-based violence | 144 |
The official portal Argentina.gob.ar confirms 911 as the national emergency center (ambulances and police), 100 for fires, 103 for civil defense, 106 for nautical emergencies (Naval Prefecture) and 144 for gender-based violence. The number 107 is the medical emergency service (SAME). In Puerto Iguazú, the official tourism page lists 101 for police, 100 for fire and 107 for the hospital; when in doubt, 911 centralizes the response. Calls are free.
Paraguay — Ciudad del Este
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| National Police | 911 |
| Volunteer Fire Department (CBVP) | 132 |
| Medical emergency (SEME) | 141 |
Paraguay's Ministry of Health (MSPBS) confirms that, in an emergency, you should call 911 (National Police), 132 (Volunteer Fire Department) and 141 (Extra-hospital Medical Emergency Service, SEME). Calls are free from cell phones or landlines.
Tips for crossing the border
- Write down all three sets. Brazil's 190 is not the same as Argentina's or Paraguay's 911.
- Roaming. When you switch countries, your phone may change carriers. In an emergency, emergency numbers usually work even without credit or a local plan — but confirm with your carrier before traveling.
- Locate yourself. When you call, always state the country, the city and a landmark (bridge, avenue, hotel). Each dispatch center only serves its own country.
- Language. In Foz, calls are answered in Portuguese; in Puerto Iguazú and Ciudad del Este, in Spanish.
Authorities may update emergency numbers. When in doubt, always check each country's official site: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
Source: Argentina.gob.ar — Emergencias
Frequently asked questions
- What is the police number in each border country?
- In Brazil (Foz do Iguaçu), 190 for the Military Police. In Argentina (Puerto Iguazú), 911 (emergency center) or 101 (direct police line). In Paraguay (Ciudad del Este), 911 for the National Police.
- How do I call an ambulance in the three countries?
- In Brazil, 192 (SAMU). In Argentina, 107 (SAME) or 911. In Paraguay, 141 (SEME) or 911.
- Does Brazil's 190 work in Argentina or Paraguay?
- No. Each country has its own number and each dispatch center only serves its own territory. When you cross the bridge, use the number of the country you are in.
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✓ Marco Três fact-check
Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Argentina.gob.ar — Emergencias. Last checked: 6/14/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.