The Law Enforcement Authority revealed on Friday the organisation of a large-scale quest for the English visitor aged 19, named Jay Slater, who disappeared on June 17 in the town of Buenavista del Norte, in Tenerife.
Since the Masca region features rough terrain, rocky landscapes, uneven surfaces, and numerous ravines, paths, and trails, the Law Enforcement Authority is seeking support from all volunteer associations of Civil Protection or Firefighters who can assist in this organised and coordinated search effort.
The search operation will commence from the Mirador de la Cruz de Hilda (Masca) to initiate a systematic and orderly search that will persist until daylight fades.
Despite reinforcing the team of the GREIM Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group that arrived from Madrid alongside a helicopter, drones, and a unit of search dogs trained for vast land areas, the search for Slater has already endured for 12 days without success, and the Law Enforcement Authority affirms that all potential scenarios are being considered.
Slater travelled to Tenerife with two companions for a trip and to attend a music festival in the southern part of the island. In the early hours of June 16, he encountered two other individuals and accompanied them to a residence in the Teno Rural Park, far from the coastal tourist zones.
His companions reported him missing, and in their last communication before his mobile phone battery died, he informed them that he had missed the bus, was thirsty, and was attempting to walk back to his apartment situated in the southern area of the island.
Masca, a renowned and perilous ravine
Masca village, situated amidst mountains and ravines, is not only a highly frequented location but also the starting point of one of the most popular trails on Tenerife island, yet one of the most hazardous as well. In fact, due to various accidents, including fatal falls in previous years, the Island Council opted to shut it down temporarily and reopened it in 2021, albeit with restricted access: only by reservation and with limited capacity.
The trail leads to the shoreline, where a gorgeous sandy beach awaits hikers nestled amidst the cliffs of Los Gigantes. Before 2021, the sole exit was retracing the same path or by boat. Since its reopening, exiting by sea is no longer permitted, and visitors must return to the village.
The total daily capacity is limited to 25 individuals, and outside of the trail’s operational hours, access is restricted for safety considerations.
