At around midnight on Wednesday night, (June 19th), the SOS alert button at the upper station of the Teide Cable Car was activated, prompting an immediate response from the emergency services to rescue and evacuate two holidaymakers from the highest point in Spain in the middle of the night.
The middle-aged couple, who had not prepared for the extreme mountain conditions and low temperatures in the pitch-black of night, were not wearing warm clothing and didn’t have enough water to stay overnight at the summit of the volcano.
The staff at the Teide Cable Car fully cooperated in the rescue effort, deploying their on-site rescue units to assist in the emergency. Additionally, a team of firefighters from La Orotava arrived to support the operation.
The couple were immediately provided with warm clothing and water, as they were dehydrated. After their health was confirmed to be stable, they were taken to a hotel in La Orotava. The operation concluded successfully and without major incidents at 2:20am.
It is important to remember that weather conditions at 3,700 metres altitude are extreme, going from hot in the day, to sometimes below zero at night. Visitors planning to ascend Teide must wear appropriate mountain clothing, proper walking boots, and carry sufficient water and provisions.
The SOS button, located at the upper station of the Teide Cable Car, was installed on December 12th, 2023, by the Tenerife Cabildo and 1-1-2 Canarias, in collaboration with the company Volcano Teide, who operate the cable car.
The button is crucial for the emergency rescue of visitors who encounter difficulties in the national park. Its availability significantly reduces rescue response times by more than six hours.
This initiative is part of Volcano Teide's commitment to visitor safety, involving close cooperation with entities such as the Red Cross, Tenerife Fire Department, Emergency and Rescue Group, Canarian Emergency Service, State Security Forces and Bodies, and other mountain rescue organisations.
