The Canary Islands are preparing new legislation that could see people fined for rescue operations triggered by reckless behaviour in the wake of multiple deaths in recent months. Fernando Figuereo, director general of emergencies for the Canary Islands Government, confirmed on Wednesday (February 11) that the regional government’s draft Civil Protection and Emergencies law includes plans for “a sanctioning model for rescues caused by imprudence”.

“We believe that someone who acts recklessly should pay,” Mr Figuereo said during a press conference, explaining that there are currently procedural difficulties when identifying rescued individuals. “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 of this reckless behaviour include tourists and locals entering the sea when a red flag has been raised on a beach, accessing areas officially closed to bathing or hiking trails closed when weather warnings are in place.

Under current law, those carrying out rescues in the Canary Islands 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.

Mr Figuereo cited two recent incidents, one at Los Charcones in Lanzarote and another along the coast of Santiago del Teide in Tenerife. In the latter, four people were killed and another three were injured in December in a natural pool – Crab Island Pool – that had been cordoned off and clearly signposted due to coastal weather alerts.

“That is recklessness,” he stated, warning that rescue operations can be costly, according to Canarian Weekly.

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Mr Figuereo explained that, according to 2012 figures, using a helicopter for just one hour costs around €2,000 (£1,700), excluding additional personnel and logistical expenses.

Under the proposed changes, the archipelago’s police force would be more directly involved, with officers responsible for formally identifying rescued individuals where negligence is proven. Authorities are also working with the tourism sector to improve awareness among visitors, as the majority of incidents involve foreign tourists, officials said. 

 “Emergency services are not free, they come at a cost,” added Moisés Sánchez, director of the 1-1-2 Canary Islands emergency coordination centre.