Canary Islands threatens fines for ‘reckless’ tourists after Tenerife deaths | World | News
The Canary Islands are preparing a new law that could fine people for rescue operations triggered by careless behavior following a spate of deaths in recent months. Fernando Figuereo, director general of emergencies for the Government of the Canary Islands, confirmed on Wednesday (February 11) that the regional government’s draft Civil Protection and Emergencies bill includes plans for “an enforcement model for rescues resulting from imprudence”.
Speaking at the press conference, Figuereo said, “We believe that anyone who acts carelessly should pay the price,” explaining that there are currently procedural difficulties in identifying the rescued people. “This is not about punishing someone for an accidental fall, it is about clear cases of negligence. Not only are they risking their own lives, they are also endangering the lives of rescuers”. Examples of this reckless behavior include tourists and locals swimming when a red flag is raised at the beach, accessing areas officially closed to swimming or hiking trails that are closed when weather warnings are in place.
Under current law, those carrying out rescue work in the Canary Islands are not civil servants but employees of the contracted service provider; This means they cannot officially open an administrative file to identify the person involved.
Mr Figuereo cited two recent incidents, one at Los Charcones in Lanzarote and the other off the coast of Santiago del Teide in Tenerife. In the second, in December, four people were killed and three others were injured at a natural pool (Crab Island Pool) that was cordoned off and clearly marked due to coastal weather advisories.
“This is recklessness,” he said, warning that rescue operations could be costly. Canary Weekly.
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Mr Figuereo explained that, based on 2012 figures, it cost around €2,000 (£1,700) to operate the helicopter for just one hour, excluding additional staff and logistics costs.
Under the proposed changes, the archipelago’s police force would be more directly involved, with officers responsible for formally identifying rescued people in cases where negligence is proven. Authorities are also working with the tourism industry to raise awareness among visitors, as the majority of incidents involve foreign tourists, officials said.
“Emergency services are not free, they are paid,” added Moisés Sánchez, director of the 1-1-2 Canary Islands emergency coordination center.
