Unfortunate events continue to plague Los Patos beach. After a decade of closure awaiting the installation of a staircase to ease access for visitors (although many found alternative routes), public entry has once again been prohibited for the entire summer due to the recent landslides posing a risk to people’s safety.
Even though the local council conducted remediation work on the cliff following the collapses that occurred on Christmas morning, resulting in a temporary closure, the stability of the cliff still does not ensure safety.
Moreover, over the past six months, the council has carried out various emergency interventions, but instability persists at multiple points, particularly in an area very close to the preferred access route used by beachgoers, raising concerns about potential future landslides.
After a comprehensive evaluation of the current state of the cliff by municipal experts and specialised firms, the consensus is that a more robust intervention is required, involving a geological survey to determine preventive measures against further landslides jeopardising lives.
Officials from the council, the Tenerife Island Government (Cabildo), and the Coastal Authority recently convened to assess the situation. All levels of government concur that beach access must remain closed, as the landslide-prone area (the small headland near El Pozo beach, a critical pathway to Los Patos) is in close proximity to the access stairs, making a safe reopening unfeasible.
Responsibility for any actions concerning Los Patos beach falls under the Environmental Department of the Tenerife Cabildo, necessitating the preparation of studies to evaluate potential measures, such as a geological examination of the cliff, at the island level.
