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Holidaymakers in the Canary Islands who need rescuing due to reckless antics could soon face hefty fines under a planned legal shake-up. The regional government is updating its Civil Protection Law to introduce penalties for operations triggered by negligence, like ignoring red flags or entering closed coastal areas.

 

Fernando Figuereo, the Director General of Emergencies, made it clear. "We believe that the reckless person must pay," he said. "This isn't about penalising someone who has suffered an accidental accident, but rather someone who has acted negligently." The Canary Islands Police will handle investigations and fines, stepping in where rescue teams currently can't gather personal details.

 

Costs are eye-watering. A single helicopter hour runs to €2,000, and full GES rescues can top €6,000. Despite a 2012 law setting fees (€36 per hour per team member, €300 per hour for boats or command posts) they've never been collected, mainly because proving fault is tricky, especially with foreigners. In 2025 alone, there were 216 land, sea and air rescues, with Tenerife top at 96.

 

Recent tragedies underline the urgency. On Saturday December 7, four tourists died and one was hurt after jumping barriers at Isla Cangrejo natural pool in Tenerife, despite rough sea warnings. Then on Saturday January 25, an American lost their life and two others were injured by waves at Los Charcones in Lanzarote, ignoring alerts and signs. Hikers are getting caught out too: last week saw 11 rescues of tourists over 60 in Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote.

 

The push targets visitors above all. Figuereo stressed collaboration with the tourism sector to spread warnings better. "We are working primarily with the tourism sector, since many of the people who engage in these malicious acts... are visitors," he explained. The goal is deterrence, not just recouping cash, to protect lives and keep locals from footing the bill.

 

For anyone planning a Canary break, it pays to heed the signs - a splash of caution could save a fortune, and maybe a life.

 

 

Image: wikicommons