SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 18 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The operation to rescue three women who were situated near the Altavista shelter, close to the summit of Teide, was finalised this Monday after they were conveyed to the La Guancha helipad. The women opted against being taken to a medical facility after receiving attention from personnel belonging to a SUC basic life support ambulance.
The rescue was initiated due to the women suffering from hypothermia and general discomfort after ascending to the elevated region of Mount Teide alongside over twenty individuals and being unable to return by cable car, which remains out of service due to adverse weather conditions.
Members of the Tenerife Firefighters Consortium and the Immediate Emergency Response Team (ERIE) from the Spanish Red Cross were involved in the operational deployment at Montaña Blanca to assist the remaining group members in safely descending. This included a group of 22 individuals and another of six, some of whom were dressed in shorts and unsuitable footwear.
The Cabildo has stressed in recent days, following the evacuation of 130 individuals since Saturday, that Teide is a high-altitude location, characterised by low temperatures, frost, and the risk of altitude sickness. Attempting to climb without sufficient experience or proper preparation is considered “sheer recklessness.”
In this context, they emphasise that the measures and warnings are designed to prevent incidents and preserve the safety of individuals; disregarding these directives “presents an unnecessary and avoidable risk.” They also extend their gratitude to the emergency teams and the staff of the Teide Cable Car for ensuring the safety of those who were rescued.
