A 30-year-old individual from Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, who became involved in a disturbance early in the morning on the Maritime Avenue of Santa Cruz de Tenerife during the Carnival, passed away while being transported in a medicalised ambulance to Hospital Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Hunsc).
He had sustained a serious craniocephalic trauma and was stabilised, intubated, and taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, he suffered a cardiac arrest en route and did not survive.
As reported by witnesses, this incident marks the first aggression recorded during the main celebrations in the capital of Tenerife in recent years that resulted in a fatality.
The Incident
It is alleged that following a prior strike to the back, a 19-year-old male turned and delivered a forceful punch to the victim, who collapsed and experienced a lethal head injury.
The Victim
The deceased was originally from Gran Canaria and had recently been living in Lanzarote, where he worked in the hospitality industry. He chose to travel to Tenerife to celebrate Carnival Monday with friends, planning to return to the island of volcanoes on Tuesday.
Two individuals were apprehended by the Police Intervention Unit (UIP) of the National Police at the scene shortly after security and emergency personnel were deployed.
Signs of a Previous Altercation
One of the suspects is believed to be the principal assailant in the incident involving the victim. The other detainee exhibited signs indicating involvement in the altercation, leading to his arrest as well, although his specific role in the reckless homicide or connection to another prior conflict remains uncertain.
The events transpired at around 05:00 hours near the surface roadway between Maritime Avenue and Anaga Avenue (Francisco La Roche).
National Police Response
The UIP, responsible for that area during the carnival festivities, was the first unit to respond to reports of a brawl. National Police officers also operate in that festive vicinity.
Investigators from the homicide division of the Judicial Police Brigade are currently exploring the theory that the altercation was the result of an unexpected encounter between the involved parties.
The two detainees are young adults, of Spanish nationality and Canarian heritage. An autopsy on the young man from Gran Canaria will also reveal the exact nature of the injury or injuries that led to the cardiac arrest from which he could not recover.
The Mayor’s Remarks
The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, engaged in a conversation with the victim’s father yesterday, expressing his condolences as well as those of the entire council.
He also assured the young man’s family that the City Council is available for any assistance they may require. On social media, he encouraged people to enjoy the festivities with a “spirit of security and coexistence.”
