The General Corps of the Canary Islands Police, through the Environmental Protection and Cultural Heritage Group of the Administrative Surveillance and Inspection Unit (UVIA) from the Island Police Station of Tenerife, in collaboration with personnel from the Immediate Emergency Response Team (ERIE) and Tenerife Firefighters, successfully rescued four individuals of French nationality who had become isolated on Mount Teide in the early hours of last Friday.
The operation commenced at 5:50 p.m. when an individual contacted emergency services, reporting that he and three others had become trapped at the upper cable car station, which was closed at that time. They were ill-prepared, lacking appropriate clothing and footwear, and had no food provisions.
In light of this situation and the necessity to reach the area where the individuals had reported their predicament, the rescue team was mobilised, including firefighters and officers from the regional police force. After arriving at the location, with assistance from a Rural Guard agent and a Gesplan informant, they commenced and coordinated search and rescue efforts.
During the operational search, after several attempts to access various routes to the summit, as well as searching around the station and the nearby shelter, at approximately 00:30 hours, the four individuals were located in one of the open areas situated behind the shelter.
Upon their discovery, they exhibited symptoms of exhaustion and hypothermia due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, and it became evident that they did not possess the necessary permits or the suitable gear for the ascent they had undertaken.
Ultimately, after providing medical assistance and verifying their identities, they were taken to La Orotava, as confirmed by the Canary Police.
The authority reminds that, with the implementation of the new regulations from the Cabildo de Tenerife regarding access, which necessitate obtaining the appropriate permit and possessing minimum mandatory equipment, those who engage in such reckless behaviour and violations may face penalties that range from €2,000 to €12,000.
