Category: SUC

Latest Gran Canaria News, Views & Sunshine

The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 31 March – 2 April 2023

 

 A glorious first weekend of April ahead and the beginning of the christian Holy Week “Semana Santa”, diligently observed in Spain. There will be many religious acts and processions throughout the week around the island, especially in the capital.  Don’t forget it’s also April fools’ on Saturday even though it isn’t a tradition in Spain, there will be those who will take the whimsical opportunity for some hilarity. The Mercado Inglés is on at The British Club of Las Palmas and there is also an authentic Canarian rural fair to visit this weekend in the traditional mountain market town of San Mateo.

Gran Canaria Weather: Yellow Warnings – Up to 36ºC, in the shade, expected on the south, high temperatures with strong winds and calima expected to affect all The Canary Islands this week

The Spanish State Meterological Agency, AEMET, has issued yellow warnings for heat, calima haze and strong winds this week on the Canary Islands forecasting high temperatures of up to 34ºC expected on several islands. An alert has been issued due to a risk of forest fires on Gran Canaria as the mix of dry weather, strong winds and high temperatures has led to concerns over coming days.

Wild fires Alert on Gran Canaria this Wednesday, with temperatures set to exceed 34ºC in the shade

Springtime has only just begun and already the temperatures, in the shade, on Gran Canaria have been repeatedly hitting the low to mid-thirties, which brings with it also a rising risk of Forest Fires and Wildfires.  Here in the Canary Islands forest fire crews are well versed in tackling an occasional mountain blaze, with alert levels often following the basic informal rule of thumb, the so-called 30/30/30 rule, putting the authorities on alert whenever the temperature is set to rise above 30ºC in the shade, the humidity levels drop below 30% and sustained winds are forecast at faster than 30kmph.  Common sense and preparation help the general population to avoid injury in the event of a fire taking hold.

The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 24-26 March 2023

 
Plum tree blossoming in Tenteniguada March 2023
It’s the last weekend of March already and Spring is here; winter is behind us and the summer weather is already hotting up on Gran Canaria. The hillsides are in full bloom, particularly up in the mountain summits; it’s Carnival Weekend in Arguineguín and the last of the carnival festivities for this year are happening around the island. With summer just around the corner, clocks Spring forward this Saturday and Sunday night when 1am becomes 2am 🕐. On the north of the island, one of the biggest seasonal trade fairs is happening, gathering produce and people from 11 municipalities, ENORTE will be celebrated in the historic Rum capital of the island, Arucas, this weekend.

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Tragic death of well known local Norwegian resident, in Arguineguín, suspected to be by misadventure, autopsy ordered as part of investigation

The tragic death of a Norwegian national, well known in the local foreign-resident community on the south of the island, occurred Thursday afternoon following a fall from the roof of his apartment block in Arguineguín, having allegedly been locked out during the night with his keys inside. Paramedics at the scene could do nothing to revive him due to the severity of the injuries.  Death by misadventure is most likely say witnesses and investigators.

The main 112 Emergency and Security Coordinating Centre (CECOES) received an alert, shortly after 12 noon on Thursday, reporting that a man had fallen several meters from the top of a building located on Calle Juan Juana, next to the main Plaza Negra Market Square, in the municipality of Mogán.
The SUC ambulance crew who attended the scene, could only certify his tragic death, at approximately 12:30 according to sources close to the events, due to the severity of his injuries presented.
According to witnesses, the victim had allegedly climbed up onto the roof, located on the third floor of the building, in an attempt to enter his apartment on the second floor, having mistakenly locked himself out during the early hours of the morning. Sources say the man had tied a television antenna cable around his waste, which broke after he lost his balance, falling about eight meters to the pavement below.
A large deployment at the scene included a basic life support ambulance and another medicalised ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), Mogán Policia Local and Proteccion Civil, and the Guardia Civil were all in attendance. The healthcare professionals at the scene could do little more than to certify his death, after assessing his condition.
Guardia Civil Judicial Police, from the Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria main post, instructed the corresponding investigative procedures to determine the causes of death, although everything points to accidental death by misadventure, according to sources close to the investigation.

Friends were concerned
Close friends of the deceased, who contacted The Canary News directly, expressed concern having spent the evening beforehand with the man, who had appeared to be in an agitated state when leaving to go home ahead of 10pm curfew. According to one witness, who has also made a statement to the Guardia Civil, the victim had suffered a beating two weeks earlier, from another individual with whom he had previously been friends. This acquaintance had subsequently threatened him, said the victim, causing him to recently change the locks on his apartment for fear of further physical altercations.
The witness says he spent nearly two hours on the phone to the victim, during the early hours of Thursday morning, unable to go to him directly, due to curfew, but trying to console him, and advised him to call the police if he were at all concerned or felt threatened. Though these events could well have been a factor in the victim getting locked out of his apartment, investigators say they have no current reasons to suspect that yesterdays events, and tragic death, were anything more than the result of a heartbreaking and deadly error of judgement on the part of the victim himself. An awful accident.
Guardia Civil agents guarded the man’s body until it could be certified by the coroner before being removed and later transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where an autopsy will now be performed.

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Balcony fall on Gran Canaria, 58-year old man in Patalavaca taken to hospital with head injuries

A 58-year-old man was injured on Monday afternoon following a balcony fall from a Gran Canaria tourist accommodation on El Escorial street, Patalavaca, near the the sunny southwest coast of the currently tranquil holiday island. According to the main 1-1-2 CECOES emergency co-ordination centre, when first responders arrived, the victim presented severe head trauma, for which he was transferred via SUC advanced life support ambulance to the Gran Canaria Insular University Hospital, in Las Palmas.

Sometime after 6:20 p.m., the Canary Islands 1-1-2 Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES) received an alert reporting that an individual had suffered a balcony fall, from several meters high, and request healthcare.
The SUC staff assessed and assisted the victim, who had accidentally fallen from the balcony. After being stabilised, he was transferred in serious condition by ambulance to the hospital.
Firefighters and Civil Protection personnel also attended alongside the medical personnel to the transfer man to the ambulance.  Local Police secured the area and prepared their reports from the scene.

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Two intoxicated tourists in multiple collisions along quiet residential street in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

On Saturday night, March 13, two young French tourists, intoxicated with alcohol, were treated by emergency services having caused multiple collisions along the otherwise quiet Calle de Gran Canaria street, on Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria’s east side.

The spectacular accident caused by drunk driving occurred when the tourists’ vehicle collided with several parked cars. One of the occupants of the car in question banged his head against the windscreen, and had to be treated by ambulance crews after apparently losing a lot of blood, however the boy’s injuries turned out to be less serious than at first feared. Firefighters also had to intervene at the scene.
At least three other parked vehicles and several waste containers located along that same road were damaged
One of the men, a 29 year old, was slightly injured to the face and was assisted by health workers from the SUC Canary Islands Emergency Service, who transferred him by ambulance to the Arguineguín health centre, according to the main 112 Canary Islands Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES). The CECOES received reports of what happened just after 11 p.m. When the emergency services arrived, on boy had lots of blood from his face, so at first it was thought that his injuries were greater than they turned out to be.
Policia Local attended the scene and collected evidence.

Local campaign groups have not pointed the finger at all French people, nor have they asked for any greater awareness than normal of French tourists around wine, or other intoxicants, nor at any point have they asked for photographs and locations of French drivers, who could be planning any number of multiple collisions, to be privately sent to otherwise law abiding grumble groups, so as to improve security in the holiday hotspot of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, nor should such images be sent to local authorities for further investigation.  In fact Puerto Rico remains as one of the safest holiday destinations on earth. The French are still very welcome. –

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Shopping centre fire brought under control at a motorcycle rental store in Playa del Inglés

Firefighters in Playa del Inglés were deployed this Saturday afternoon to put out a shopping centre fire in a motorcycle rental store at the CC Plaza, on the south of Gran Canaria, according to reports from the 112 Canary Islands Centre Emergency and Security Coordination team (CECOES 112).

The alarm was raised at around 4:50 pm, reporting a shopping centre fire, at which point firefighters and police officers were activated and deployed, as well as an ambulance sent from the SUC Canary Islands Emergency Service.
At least two individuals are known to have been “mildly affected” in the incident, according to 112. A column of smoke several meters high was visible from various points around the tourist southern tourist zone.  It is not yet clear what caused the blaze.

#SUC asiste a dos afectados leves tras un incendio declarado en local de centro comercial en Playa del Inglés #GRANCANARIA. Bomberos San Bartolomé de Tirajana continúan interviniendo en el lugar junto a recursos policiales.
— 1-1-2 Canarias (@112canarias) January 30, 2021

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Lies and hoaxes spread fear encouraging anti-migrant opinions and the rhetoric of hate

On Monday afternoon yet another hoax was spread across various social networks claiming that one of the victims involved in the attack in a San Fernando car park, on the south of Gran Canaria, had died. However, the man who was assaulted, who is thought to be a longterm resident, possibly homeless, and who these fake reports say has died, actually got up on his own and left the scene of the attack caught on video. Those at the scene told Spanish language daily, La Provincia, that the man declined medical attention from the emergency services when they had arrived at the scene, having been deployed there by the main 112 emergency coordination centre. Lies and hoaxes have increased over recent months, and are repeatedly shared, making it difficult to discern the facts, with more and more willing to ignore the actual truth rather than deal with the reality of an already difficult situation.

The brutal altercation itself was recorded on video by a local resident who witnessed the attack. The video, which quickly went viral, shows two men approach two others, whom they then viciously attack in the Plaza de El Hierro, in San Fernando de Maspalomas. One of the victims falls to the ground due to the blows and head butts he receives. Despite a Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) ambulance  being deployed to the scene, no one involved ended up being treated.

The apparently unprovoked attack occurred at around 3:45 p.m. on Monday afternoon, and the Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (Cecoes) 112 received a report that there were several people involved in the brawl, somewhere between 8 or 9 people in total, and it was reported that they had knives, though no evidence for this has been presented. In the video spread across social media, two people attack two others and begin to strike them, punching and kicking, causing one of the victims to fall to the ground apparently semi-conscious.  There is no-one who thinks that this sort of behaviour is permissible, nor can it be defended. These were criminal acts and must be dealt with accordingly.  However, spreading lies and hoaxes and fear can in no way help with that task, it only further confuses the issues.

The Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) simply returned to base as none of those involved needed medical attention, according to 112.
The Policia Nacional also attended seeking witness statements, though the perpetrators had already left the scene and police are now actively looking for those involved.  Police presence last night was noticeably increased throughout the San Fernando and Playa del Inglés area, with patrol cars actively stopping groups of more than four pedestrians to inquire as to their business. 

Separating truth from fear 
Local mayor Conchi Navarrez last week responded to unsubstantiated reports on social media by calling a security meeting, for this Tuesday morning, inviting senior law enforcement and those involved in accommodating migrants in the local area to discuss and analyse reports of disturbances, while encouraging local residents to report any incidents or suspected criminality through the correct official channels, rather than solely posting or sharing to social media sites.  She has called for all reports to be properly investigated and any criminality among migrant arrivals to be quickly dealt with through expulsion.
There has been a very worrying and serious increase in false, often patently untrue and misleading imagery, shared across the social networks, which can only further complicate the job of law enforcement.  Some of the anti-migrant rhetoric is also fed by wholly irresponsible headlines from websites posing as news outlets.  It must stop, if we and those tasked with protecting our security are to properly know and understand the true scale of any problems that occur.

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News report of Arguineguín altercation, resulting in one migrant arrested, also lists multiple reports of disturbances in Puerto Rico

There has been a sudden increase in reports of altercations involving migrants. A news report this morning, following altercations earlier this week, has described new incidents, on Wednesday night, involving migrants currently being housed temporarily in empty tourist establishments on the south of Gran Canaria. Three security guards are said to have been injured, one of them badly, with one migrant arrested by the Guardia Civil as one of the alleged aggressors. Two Red Cross volunteers have also reportedly been charged for their alleged participation in the fight.

No official statements have yet appeared, but we are actively requesting more information.  Meanwhile there are questions as to the severity of the incidents last night, as locals and neighbours on social media report noticing little by way of disturbance. The last few days have seen multiple reports, mainly from online sources, that seem to mix unconnected headlines with unproven statements and incidents without any official verifications.  It is a confusing time to try to understand the facts of what is really happening.  This has led to at least one southern mayor calling a security meeting to verify alleged reports and urging all citizens to report any suspected criminality through official channels rather than simply posting to social networks.

The reported events of Wednesday night follow a Mogán town hall request, earlier that same day, for Guardia Civil staff numbers in the municipality be strengthened in the face of these altercations.  While you can be sure that any such serious request made from a local town hall will be properly considered, the public announcement of it through publicity channels can be almost certainly seen as little more than political grand standing. Of course this would be a decision solely for the Guardia Civil command post, based in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, and their headquarters in the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, who in turn are commanded from Madrid.

There are residents who regularly post on social networks regarding feelings of insecurity, particularly emphasising that there are some female residents who simply do not feel safe, and there are even reports of nightly disturbances, however rarely any specifics, and there is little by way of real evidence offered or official statements by law enforcement officials, though statements from association members connected to law enforcement are occasionally repeated.  These commentaries seem to occur almost exclusively on social media.  Nevertheless, feelings of insecurity exist, and so as a community we all work together to feel safer and understand the situation.
The Mogán town hall have repeatedly demanded that migrants, temporarily being accommodated in their municipality, be removed, threatening to fine hoteliers who continue to allow “non-tourism related activities” at their premises, despite practically no tourists being able to visit due to COVID restrictions.  Their demands are joined by some very vocal local residents who feel that the humanitarian effort is destroying their tourism and hospitality image. Meanwhile the Spanish government have predicted most migrant arrivals to be moved into alternative accommodations by the end of the month, having missed their original target date of end of 2020.
According to the article appearing this Thursday morning, in Spanish language daily Canarias7, at the Arguineguín Park tourist/residential complex (pictured above), an ambulance was reportedly deployed to assist some security guards who said they had been assaulted by several migrants. Guardia Civil agents arrived at the scene and had to restrain and cuff one individual, who was arrested for his aggressive behaviour. Two workers at the premises reported that they were being attacked. According to police sources consulted by Canarias7, two Red Cross volunteers also participated in this attack. When the Local Police and the Civil Guard arrived, they identified the Red Cross caregivers to denounce and charge them. One of the wounded is reported to have suffered injuries serious enough to be taken to the Hospital San Roque in Meloneras and the other is said to have been struck, but did not require medical attention. The primary aggressor, of legal age, was arrested on suspicion of having caused injuries and his alleged accomplice, also an adult male, escaped capture, although agents are now working to locate him as the Policia Local at the scene had apparently already identified him.

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, at around 5:00 pm, a report was made from a “restaurant” regarding a group of five minors allegedly having entered “establishments in a surprise way” and then stealing various items, mainly bottles of alcohol.  It is not clear exactly which establishments were involved, though it is thought that the report originated from the CC Pasarella in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria harbour.
Then at around 8:45 pm, “within a period of no more than five minutes”,  agents were alerted three more times about fights and disturbances. At the Tamanaco complex, which had been the scene of youths fighting and throwing garden furniture over balconies on Monday night, a minor, in a state of intoxication, had to be restrained allegedly for acting aggressively towards security guards.
Meanwhile, at the Nido del Águila hotel, a fight between several migrants was reported, in which the Mogán Policia Local had to intervene.
Calls were also reportedly made regarding migrants gathering in a street above Amadores and at the Barranco de Arguineguín.
Lastly law enforcement agents were called to the Canaima apartments where a minor was suffering what was described as “a presumed psychotic break”.

Editor’s comment:
Gran Canaria is, and remains, one of the safest places in the world.  It truly is a paradise.  There has been very little by way of criminality reported here by any official sources, particularly when it comes to irregular migrant arrivals, but of course with so many strangers currently under government supervision, and difficulties in processing so many irregular individuals arriving, lots of fears are repeatedly expressed, particularly across social networks.  As community I hope we all can remind each other that our strength is in our ability to work together and keep each other properly informed.  There are many big problems for us still to face over the coming year.
And let’s be clear.  With so many individuals crowded together, unsure of their future, and with little to lose; there will be problems.  There will be occasions when the law must intervene.  Let’s not create extra reasons for concern, let’s be good citizens and try to protect our communities in the right way, and help the authorities to deal with these unprecedented times.
In this particular case it seems odd that only one individual was arrested, and that red cross volunteers have been accused of participating, as well as only one major local news source this morning had reported on this list of incidents.  There may have been more now, we know of some who have simply repeated the original story, but we at The Canary News have struggled to find official corroboration prior to publishing here.  While we cast no doubt whatsoever on the quality of Canarias7, which upholds some of the highest standards of journalism on the island of Gran Canaria, recent events, and the last year or so, have led to an increased need for real scrutiny of all reporting that seems to come from just one unverified source.  Publications such as ours often rely heavily on official sources, verifiable public statements, images and video as well as multiple publications reporting the facts, to enable us to corroborate what is written and said.  We try to get it right, but you will understand that can be a very difficult job.
We strongly urge all readers, residents and visitors, to cast a critical eye over any information spread through social networks.  Feeling you were right all along, is not the same as proving it.  Truth matters, it is very important, especially over recent months, with multiple, very valid reasons for us all to be concerned with a much greater need for community than perhaps was there just one year ago.
We welcome all individuals who use official channels to report suspected criminality.  However just posting or sharing thoughts and opinions on social networks is not the same as verifiable facts.
Absolutely the best thing any concerned citizen can do, is to ensure that law enforcement authorities are correctly informed of any worrying behaviour or instances of harm.  All criminality should be reported, if we are to expect the police to understand the situation.
Suspecting someone might do something harmful, is not the same as someone having actually done something harmful.  All individuals living, or visiting, here are subject to the same laws and rights.  Assumptions about their status should not make a difference to that.  No-one should feel unsafe, the police and other law enforcement officers are highly trained in being able to discern the merits of any reports regarding security issues.  That is their job, and they are usually very good at it.  Feeling intimidated is not the same as having actively been intimidated, but the authorities are there to help ensure that everyone feels secure.  To make sure, to the best of their ability, that everyone is safe.
If you feel there is a criminal act occurring, or that your safety or anyone else’s is seriously at risk, you can always call the 112 emergency response number, from any telephone, and be put directly through to an operator who speaks your language, and who has the ability to communicate and coordinate with any relevant security services.  Let’s not let fear overshadow our communities, let’s all work together to make sure that things are done the right way, and that good, accurate information is always available, and put it on the record.
Though we actively discourage baseless negativity, and opinions that do not stand up to the facts, we welcome all contributors to our work who supply verifiable information.  Your photos and videos of what happens around you are always welcome.  And we would love to work with you to help ensure English speakers always get the full story, and are not just limited to opinions expressed through fear or misinformation.
It’s ok too to dislike our work, nobody is forcing you to read it.  Please always feel free to look elsewhere.  We hope, however, we can foster genuine debate and active understanding of the world around us here on Gran Canaria, and in particular among the community who work so very hard to ensure this is a place of peace, tranquility, harmony and hospitality.  Thank you for reading.
Timon .:. Editor-in-Chief
Contact us – tell us your story – share with us your images and video

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The Canary News

All crew and passengers safe after night aboard ferry that ran aground in the Gran Canaria port of Agaete

All crew and passengers have been declared safe and well, after spending the night aboard a Fred Olsen ferry which ran aground, at around 9pm on Thursday, after the vessel had struggled with high winds and rough seas in Gran Canaria’s Northwest port of Agaete.  For several hours this Friday morning, two tugboats tried to move the stranded passenger ship into the port of Agaete, they were later joined by two more tugboats. All attempts made to release the vessel have been so far unsuccessful.

Emergency services from across the island had raced to the scene last night to assist in ensuring the safety the 59 passengers and 16 crew members on board, and following several unsuccessful attempts to free the craft, it was finally decided to evacuate the crew and passengers, who had spent all night on board the vessel, using a Salvamento Maritimo (maritime rescue) vessel, the Salvamar Nunki, to relay them to shore in collaboration with firefighters and emergency personnel from various services assisting the ship’s crew.
By 2:00 p.m. on Friday all the people on board had been brought to safety and accounted for leading to the majority of emergency personnel present being deactivated.

El pasaje y y la tripulacion del Fred Olsen ya han sido evacuados#FMA #Filomena pic.twitter.com/qenTI0cLLV
— Cabildo Gran Canaria (@GranCanariaCab) January 8, 2021

A broad range of emergency services were present at the scene including Police, Civil Guard, Red Cross, CECOES, SUC, Civil Protection, Maritime Captaincy, Maritime Rescue, and Fred Olsen crew who have been applauded for showing great professionalism, local fishermen, political leaders, security personnel and port workers all paying homage to the calm shown by passengers who were said to have acted in an exemplary manner despite having been exposed to a tense situation for more than 14 hours.
The Bentago Express, ran aground on Thursday night in Agaete while trying to dock at the Puerto de Las Nieves. No injuries have been reported. The fast catamaran, which covers the route between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Gran Canaria, suffered damage to one of the engines.
The incident occurred a few minutes before ten o’clock at night. While Storm Filomena continued to produce strong winds and rough seas in the area. According to witnesses, the ship had tried to enter the dock and could not, and then on its second attempt suffered an engine failure.
 

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The Canary News

La Gomera landslide caught on camera, rescue workers are searching for anyone injured

 
A La Gomera landslide caused by the massive collapse of part of a cliff this Saturday afternoon, was captured on video on the west coast of the island of La Gomera, in Valle Gran Rey.
Several people in the vicinity witnessed the rockfall. Images show a large vertical cliff face suddenly collapsing into the sea, raining debris onto a coastal path, used to access Argaga beach, known as Las Arenas beach, where caravans and other vehicles often park, causing several cars to completely disappear from view or to be at least partially covered by dust and falling stone.

Seconds before rock fall
Two GES helicopters from the 1-1-2 Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES), Civil Guard, Local Police, Civil Protection and volunteer firefighters have been working for the last couple of hours to try to find people who may have been trapped under the rocks. A Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) team and council workers from the Valle Gran Rey and Vallehermoso municipalities have traveled to the site to urgently search for anyone who was near the vehicles or using the beach access.  There are very serious concerns that the La Gomera landslide may have caused catastrophic injury and loss of life appears quite likely.
The Cabildo de Tenerife, is collaborating with the Security and Emergency Directorate to mobilise the Red Cross Mountain Detachment Rescue team from the Teide National Park, in a deployment underway to attend to those possibly affected by the landslide.
The road between Vueltas and Argaga has been closed as parts of it are currently under a large amount of fallen rock and other debris.

? ? Trabajan ya en la zona: 2 helicópteros del Gobierno de Canarias, Guardia Civil, Policia Local, Bomberos Voluntarios de Valle Gran Rey, Protección Civil, AEA, personal del Ayuntamiento de Valle Gran Rey y Vallehermoso. pic.twitter.com/OQ0Wjj7jJt
— Ayuntamiento de Valle Gran Rey (@Ayto_VGR) November 14, 2020

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The Canary Guide

Curated news stories for English speakers who #LoveGranCanaria

The Canary News, Views & Sunshine - Est. 2009

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