Reckless reasons for rescues could soon carry hefty fines in the Canaries
The Canary Islands Government is preparing new legislation that could see people fined for rescue operations triggered by reckless behaviour. Fernando Figuereo, Director General of Emergencies for the Canary Islands Government, confirmed on Wednesday that the draft Civil Protection and Emergencies law includes plans for “a sanctioning model for rescues caused by imprudence”.
Speaking at a press conference, he explained that there are currently procedural difficulties when identifying rescued individuals. Those carrying out rescues are not civil servants but employees of the contracted service provider, meaning they are unable to formally open an administrative file to identify the person involved.
“We believe that someone who acts recklessly should pay,” Figuereo said. “This is not about penalising someone who has suffered an accidental fall, but cases of clear negligence. They are not only risking their own lives, but putting those of the rescuers in danger too."
Examples include entering the sea when a red flag is being displayed or accessing areas that are officially closed to bathing, or hiking on trails that have been closed due to weather warnings.
The proposed legislation aims to discourage people from acting recklessly, and ensure that those who knowingly ignore safety warnings and put themselves at risk may soon be required to bear the financial consequences.
Recent Incidents Highlight Concerns
Figuereo referred to two recent incidents: one at Los Charcones in Yaiza, Lanzarote, and another along the coast of Santiago del Teide in Tenerife. In the latter case, the incident occurred in a natural pool that had been cordoned off and clearly signposted due to coastal weather alerts.
“That is recklessness,” he stated, noting that rescue operations can be costly, depending on the resources deployed.
Using 2012 figures as an example, he said that just one hour of helicopter use costs around €2,000 — and that does not include additional personnel and logistical expenses.
Police to Play Greater Role
Under the proposed changes, the Canary Islands Police would be more directly involved. As the force continues to expand across all of the islands, officers would be responsible for formally identifying rescued individuals where negligence is proven.
The authorities are also working with the tourism sector to improve awareness among visitors. According to officials, the majority of such incidents involve foreign tourists, an issue seen in other Spanish regions as well.
Complex Emergencies Come at a Price
Moisés Sánchez, director of the 1-1-2 Canary Islands emergency coordination centre, stressed that so-called “complex emergencies” require significant additional resources.
These incidents can involve multiple casualties or even missing persons, triggering large-scale search operations that may last for days or even a week.
“There is an overexertion in terms of response,” Sánchez said. “Emergency services are not free, they come at a cost.”
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