‘Reckless’ tourists on island hot spot could be slapped with fines for emergency services use

Following a string of recently deployed emergency operations, Canary Islands officials are calling out tourists for ignoringsafety advisories— and even floating a possible fine for visitors.

Emergency rescues and searches come with “a price,” said Fernando Figuereo, general director of emergencies. 

He added, “The emergency is not free,” according to Spanish paper El Diario.

HISTORIC TOWN COULD FINE LOCALS WHO LEAVE TRASH BINS OUT TOO LONG, RUINING VISITORS’ INSTAGRAM SHOTS

He said the use of a rescue helicopter for an hour can cost over $2,000.

Read More → Legal experts react to Trump’s SCOTUS clash and tariff pivot in fiery SOTU

“We understand that the reckless person has to pay it.It is not about punishing someone who has suffered a fall, but rather recklessness,” Figuereo reportedly said at a press conference on Feb.10.

Canary Islands officials are considering fining “reckless” tourists for the use of costly rescue operations.(Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

Figuereo cited an example of visitors who ignorered flags on beaches— leading to a water accident as a result. 

About 18.4 million tourists, both international and from the Spanish mainland, visited the Canary Islands in 2025.(Desiree Martin/AFP via Getty Images)

The government is working on drafting new edits to the Civil Protection and Emergencies law.

In January, a 23-year-old tourist wasleft in critical conditionafter falling in a hard-to-reach area while hiking on the Los Gigantes cliffs, according to “Guide to the Canary Islands.”

Read More → World Cup fans banned from US travel may be unable to root for teams in person

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

Read More → DAVID MARCUS: Hospitals stop transing kids now that the myth has fallen apart

The same outlet also reported the recovery of the body of amissing touristoff southern Lanzarote.Tourists from the same group were found nearby.

Read More → UK, German defense officials defend military buildup under Russian threats

An island official said emergency rescues and searches come with “a price.”(Ximena Borrazas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Dive teams, firefighters, a helicopter, maritime rescue resources and police ultimately rescued the three other tourists, according to “Guide to the Canary Islands.”

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The men were reportedly students in Madrid who had visited the area together.They had walked into the area despite a road closure barrier.

18.4 million tourists, both international and from the Spanish mainland, visited the Canary Islands in 2025, according to government data.

Ashley J.