Early on Saturday the 6th, a party of four walkers was rescued in Teide National Park. The operation was coordinated by the Immediate Emergency Response Team (ERIE), the General Corps of the Canarian Police, and the Tenerife Fire Brigade.

These agencies established a search and recovery strategy for the group, which concluded at 4:00 a.m. The action commenced at 5:50 p.m. when an individual alerted emergency services that they and three others were trapped in the upper Cable Car station, which was closed at the time. They informed that they were deficient in suitable clothing and footwear along with provisions.

Rescue team members, comprising firefighters and regional police officers, were dispatched to the scene, supported by a Rural Guard agent and a Gesplan informant, to begin and coordinate the search. At approximately 12:30 a.m., they discovered four individuals of French nationality taking shelter in one of the rooms located behind the station. When found, they exhibited signs of fatigue and hypothermia due to cold exposure, indicating a lack of a permit, suitable clothing, and equipment for the ascent. After receiving medical care and identification, they were transported to La Orotava. The swift response of the emergency teams was crucial, resulting in no injuries being reported.

Unrelated to Regulations

Authorities from the Tenerife Cabildo informed EL DÍA that “the incident is unrelated to regulations.” It is likely that “these individuals boarded the Cable Car and misunderstood that the last descent occurs at 4:50 p.m.” They clarified that “there have been no issues on the trails; they are monitored. It’s not that they intended to hike up or down and broke regulations.” They further stated that “rescues will continue due to instances of altitude sickness or ankle injuries.” They emphasised: “Those hiking up must be properly equipped; otherwise, they will be denied access. In this recent case, if they had attempted to ascend a pathway, they would not have been permitted, as they were not equipped and additionally needed to obtain a permit in advance.”

The Regional Police reminds that with the implementation of new access regulations for Teide by the Cabildo, which requires a permit and minimum equipment, reckless and non-compliant individuals face fines ranging from 2,000 to 12,000 euros. The roles of the Administrative Surveillance and Inspection Unit encompass preventative action, investigation, and reporting of administrative infractions concerning areas such as the environment and natural resources. The insular Corporation asserts that “this latest case differs from those that prompted the regulation’s enforcement.

The Updated Regulations

“These were tourists who used the Cable Car, got lost, and discovered it was no longer operational when they wished to descend.” The error was theirs “because upon booking, the pick-up and drop-off times are clearly outlined.” Previously “there were individuals hiking without being adequately prepared who activated the rescue button to be extricated. “This phenomenon has ceased with the implementation of the new regulation.”