VIDEO: Two people airlifted from closed beach in Tenerife after becoming trapped
Two people had to be rescued by helicopter yesterday afternoon, Sunday, after becoming trapped on a closed beach in Tenerife. The incident occurred at Playa de Los Patos in the municipality of La Orotava, which has been officially closed for over a year due to the danger of falling rocks and a lack of safe access.
Emergency services were alerted when the pair found themselves unable to leave the beach. Due to the ongoing closure of the access path and the unstable terrain, a rescue by land was not possible. Instead, a helicopter from the Canary Islands’ Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) was dispatched to carry out an aerial evacuation.
Rescue personnel were winched down to the beach, where they airlifted the two people to a safe location. Paramedics were waiting at the designated landing area to assess their condition, although no serious injuries were reported.
Playa de Los Patos has been closed to the public by both the La Orotava Town Hall and the Tenerife Cabildo since mid-2024, following ongoing concerns about rockfalls and delays in the construction of a safer pedestrian access route.
Despite the closure, warning signs, and repeated public safety announcements, several people continue to ignore the restrictions, often putting themselves and rescuers at risk.
This latest rescue highlights the dangers of entering restricted areas, especially those closed for safety reasons. Authorities continue to urge both residents and tourists to respect closures and avoid attempting access to the beach until it is officially reopened.
For now, no reopening date has been confirmed, although local groups continue to pressure officials for clear timelines and concrete action plans.
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