Tag: death

Latest Gran Canaria News, Views & Sunshine

La Alcaldesa Bueno Secures Incredible Majority in Mogán

Mogán, May 29, 2023 – The often controversial incumbent, O Bueno, La Alcaldesa, has achieved an unprecedented and resounding victory once more in Mogán. The candidate who switched her party’s name, for these elections, to “Juntos por Mogán”, a local ally of the regionalist conservatives “Coalición Canaria” (CC), will once again assume the role of mayor. Her party has clinched a rather noteworthy 17 out of the 21 seats in the Municipal Council of this popular tourism destination located on the sunny southwest of Gran Canaria.

The Canary Guide Día de Canarias #WeekendTips 26-28 May 2023

 
What an interesting last weekend of May ahead. Weather predictions are showing some rain showers are likely across Gran Canaria. This extended #WeekendTips covers up to Tuesday, when all things Canarian are celebrated on the Día de Canarias. There’ll be some gorgeous Patron Saints’ festivities happening in San Fernando de Maspalomas as well as in Valleseco.

Fun Fact:
Valleseco literally means “dry valley” in Spanish, but is actually one of the wettest municipalities Gran Canaria. Nestling between the famous fresh water sources of Firgas & Teror, half way up the island’s mountainous northern slopes, this area is well known for its apple growers, cider and its weekly market

Six weeks since the unexplained disappearance of Anna-Karin on Gran Canaria

The authorities on Gran Canaria have been engaged in a rigorous search for Swedish tourist Anna-Karin Bengtsson, who went missing in the south of Gran Canaria around April 9. Her unexplained disappearance has caused her family much distress, with no clues to her whereabouts having emerged in the six weeks since they first realised her phone was no longer functioning.

The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 19-21 May 2023

 

An exciting May weekend ahead with abundant events and festivities taking place all around Gran Canaria. There are Patron Saints’ festivities for Motor Grande, in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, and in El Tablero in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and up in the mountains of Artenara. There is also a two day lively exhibition event in Meloneras boulevard and the Rally Gran Canaria is held this Friday and Saturday.

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Western Sahara drone strike allegedly kills head of the Sahrawi National Guard in disputed territory conflict with Morocco

The head of the Sahrawi National Guard, Adah el Bendir, was killed on Thursday afternoon in an alleged Western Sahara drone strike, carried out by Moroccan forces, at a point along the wall built by Rabat, in the disputed and occupied Spanish ex-colony territory, according to an official Sahrawi source reported by EFE.

According to the source, El Bendir “fell as a martyr, and with honour, while fighting the occupying forces in the liberated area of ​​Rouss Irni”, near the city of Tifariti, the Polisario Front main base and centre of military operations.
The officer was “hit by drone fire after leading an incursion through the segregation wall,” the source added. “This is further proof of the intense war in the area and why Morocco is determined to deny it,” said the source, who on other occasions has reported alleged Moroccan casualties, which have never been confirmed or denied by Rabat.
Morocco will neither confirm nor deny this latest information, which adds more uncertainty about what is really happening in the north west African conflict zone, just 100km east of The Canary Islands.
Six Months of Military TensionThe former Spanish colony has been on a war footing since last November 13, after Moroccan armed forces penetrated the Guerguerat pass, which separates Mauritania from the territory, occupied by Morocco in 1975, to remove a large group of Sahrawis who had camped as a protest on the road built by the Moroccans, in contravention of UN restrictions. The protesters were trying to interrupt the transit of goods through the area, which the Polisario denounces as illegal, on the terms of the ceasefire brokered 30 years ago on the premise of a promised and long overdue referendum on self determination for the native Sahrawi population.
Just 24 hours after that offensive, Brahim Ghali, the general secretary of the Polisario Front and president of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the government in exile broadly recognised by dozens of countries including those of the African Union, made clear that this was a violation of the ceasefire and considered the truce signed in 1991 to have been broken.
A day later, he announced a start to military operations along the wall, erected by Morocco in the middle of the desert, which, according to Sahrawi sources, with combat action having been sustained and repeated since then, and which Rabat will not even comment on.
By the end of January, and in the face of stark silence from Morocco, the SADR announced that the Sahrawi Army was preparing to “expand the scope of its military operations, from southern Morocco to southern Western Sahara, to cover all enemy sectors and defences”.
The tensions were added to in recent months by political tension, the result of a decision from the outgoing president of the United States, Trump, to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over the former Spanish colony in exchange for Rabat establishing relations with Israel.
Last month the US 6th fleet aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower took part in military exercises with Morocco in the strip of Atlantic ocean between The Canary Islands archipelago and Morocco’s Port of Agadir, as part of Operation Lightening Handshake.   The Government of Spain have lodged a formal complaint with the United States of America, as they had not been warned in advance that such a large exercise, including air, sea and land forces, was scheduled to occur so close to their island territories. Training in Western Sahara drone strike operations is likely to have been included in these exercises.
If these reports of this Western Sahara drone strike are true, then the drone used in this strike was almost certainly US supplied, as part of the multi-billion dollar arms deals that have continued to embolden Morocco in the region. The Moroccans are seen as a key strategic partner, and forward staging post in the region, for AfriCom, in US Military operations on the African continent.

April 12: – Various sources have cast doubt on whether Morocco currently has lethal drone strike capabilities, pointing instead to the more likely use of high-end military intelligence gathering drones, if a drone was use at all, perhaps to seek out and target El Bendir, allowing more conventional weaponry to actually launch the attack, possibly even from the air by fighter-jet.  The fact is, the facts are sketchy, not all the reports coming out of Western Sahara are reliable, and Morocco refuses to comment or engage in any way regarding the current situation or their conflict with the Polisario Front.
Has Morocco carried out its first drone strike in Western Sahara?

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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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22-year-old migrant found dead at hotel in Playa del Inglés on the south of Gran Canaria

The body of a 22-year-old migrant found dead at a hotel, in Playa del Inglés on the south of Gran Canaria, appears to show no signs of criminality. In a statement, the Spanish Government Delegation to the Canary Islands clarified that “Until the autopsy is carried out, the cause of death cannot be determined”. Judicial law enforcement sources have said that the autopsy result will not be known today, adding that “everything indicates that it was a heart attack.” explaining that samples have also been sent to hospital for a PCR test to be carried out.

The young Maghrebi migrant found dead, of Moroccan nationality, was discovered on Monday night, after those who knew him had not seen him all day, according to reports from Spanish news service Cadena SER. He was one of about 6,000 migrants being temporarily accommodated in empty tourist complexes on the south of the island, left vacant due to pandemic restrictions reducing tourism by more than 90%, which were enabled as short-term reception spaces to alleviate the build up that had occurred over three months in a temporary red cross camp that had been set up in Arguineguín fishing port.  The camp was dismantled a couple of weeks ago, as migrants started to be moved to facilities provided by the Spanish military.  Steadily, migrants accommodated in hotels are also being transferred to these alternative camps, as well as other reception facilities elsewhere, with the winter weather having now made migrant crossings much more difficult, and so significantly slowing the flow of new arrivals to these shores.
All irregular migrants are confined upon arrival, and given PCR tests to verify their COVID-19 status. They can only legally be held for up to 72 hours, unless there is evidence of any criminality, however the Spanish State is obliged to ensure they are properly identified and processed under existing international law, before deciding whether or not they can legally stay, or indeed can continue on their journeys towards mainland Europe.  All migrants cooperating with state security forces are treated with the same dignity afforded to any other citizen, and they are not in any way detained against their will, unless necessary for security or health reasons, they are all free to come and go as they wish.  The Red Cross, who have been the primary carers of most arrivals since the start of the summer, and, following disturbances in Arguineguín last Saturday, have recommended that any migrants temporarily accommodated in the south try to stay at their accommodation for the next 48 hours or so to help minimise tensions, a request that is supported by the security forces, due to the potential “risk of attacks”.

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Dead British girl reportedly argued with her boyfriend before her disappearance on Tenerife

The body of a dead British woman found floating near the Puerto de la Cruz lighthouse, on the neighbouring island of Tenerife, is thought almost certainly to be that of Amy Louise Gerard, an orca trainer employed by Loro Parque who lived in the locality. The Spanish National Police Specialised Violent Crime Unit (Unidad de Delincuencia Especializada y Violenta, UDEV) have opened an investigation trying to reconstruct the final hours of the 28 year old who was last seen alive on Friday 30 November.
According to British tabloid The Sun, quoting a source close to the investigation, the body was found in a bad condition, and it is still “too early” to determine how the death occurred and if it was accidental or not, although the girl’s body, which was found floating in the water by a Guardia Civil helicopter and was recovered by one of the boats participating in the search operation, is reported to have appeared to have bruises, though it has not been ruled out that she could have died in a tragic accident and that these marks were from having struck the rocks.
The last images of the young woman, originally from Cleethorpes in the UK, were from a video recorded last Thursday, partying with several friends in an Irish bar in Puerto de la Cruz, Molly Malone’s. Another woman, in the UK, claims to have also seen her in a video on the social network Snapchat, during the early hours of Friday morning, a claim which is being analysed by the agents investigating. 
Amy, who divorced her husband a year ago, has been, reportedly, in a relationship with a man named as Dennis  Kiessling (pictured left), who is said to also be a zoo worker, and with whom she is said to have left The Molly Malone in the early hours of Friday morning, last. Video has emerged of her enjoying the night with Dennis, singing and dancing to The Pogues at the bar.
There have not yet been any confirmations as to whether Dennis has any connection to the Kiessling family who own the Grupo Loro Parque company, Tenerife’s largest employer, who operate the park where Amy worked as well as the Siam Park tourist attractions.
Brendan Reid, owner of the Molly Malone pub, told the tabloids that the girl arrived about 11 pm on Thursday night and, although “everyone had a good time singing and dancing,” does not think they were drunk.
According to the Tenerife daily Diario de Avisos, the couple reportedly argued at the bar, although the owner of the bar says that while  the group of friends “went two by two and she and  Dennis were the last to leave. She turned right and Dennis went left.”
The inquiries, according to the Tenerife newspaper, focus now on finding out where the girl went after leaving the bar, if she went alone or was attacked by someone, in addition to the heated discussion with her boyfriend and they are said to also be looking at whether her divorce had been amicable or not.

A highway worker killed in the tunnel of the new La Aldea road

A Public Works and Infrastructures Highway Service employee of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, who has been named as 45 year old Juan Román PM, died on Tuesday just before noon when he was run over in one of the tunnels of the new road from La Aldea de San Nicolás. It is the first reported death on the new stretch of road since the it was opened in April 2017.
The operator was working inside a tunnel,  when he was run over by a driver, aged between 70 and 80 years old, and a resident of nearby El Risco, in Agaete, and who was driving a small truck. The allegedly driver did not notice the signals in the tunnel, which indicated that one of the lanes was closed to traffic due to the maintenance work that was being carried out inside it, nor did he heed the audible warnings through the loudspeakers.
After the report was received around 11.35 yesterday morning, the 112 Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (Cecoes 112) activated two ambulances from the SUC Canarian Emergency Service; a doctor from the La Aldea Health Center;  a helicopter belonging to the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) was also deployed, which ultimately did not evacuate the victim who had already died at the scene of the accident; agents of the Local Police and the Civil Guard attended; and Firefighters from the Aldea Park Consortium.
The staff of the SUC and the doctor of the Health Center attended to the victim, who had serious injuries, and suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest as a result of being run over when he was being attended to by medical and health staff. Despite resuscitation maneuvers being performed, the man died at the scene.
The local police collaborated, while the Consortium Firemen took charge of securing the area of ​​the GC-2 road where the helicopter landed and where the traffic was interrupted.
Guardia Civil agents took charge of the corresponding proceedings.
The deceased worker was a well-known resident who lived in the village of La Aldea de San Nicolás. Juan Roman PM had been on the PSOE (socialist party) lists for the municipal elections.  Juan Román PM, who was an only child, leaves a widow, who is in a very advanced stage of pregnancy.
The pensioner who was driving had, according to sources, been warned several times to be careful when driving, and the circumstances of the accident are now under investigation.

La Alcaldesa Bueno Secures Incredible Majority in Mogán

by Timon .:. | May 29, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsMogán, May 29, 2023 - The often controversial incumbent, O Bueno, La Alcaldesa, has achieved an unprecedented and resounding victory once more in Mogán. The candidate who switched her party’s name, for these elections, to “Juntos por Mogán”, a local ally of the...
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UD Las Palmas Celebrate Return to La Liga First Division in Grand Style after Gran Canaria Stadium Goalless Draw with Alavés

by Timon .:. | May 27, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsUD Las Palmas made a glorious comeback to the First Division in a thrilling encounter against Deportivo Alavés that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. In front of a raucous near-capacity-crowd of 31,790, Las Palmas sealed their return ticket...
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Six weeks since the unexplained disappearance of Anna-Karin on Gran Canaria

by Timon .:. | May 20, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsThe authorities on Gran Canaria have been engaged in a rigorous search for Swedish tourist Anna-Karin Bengtsson, who went missing in the south of Gran Canaria around April 9. Her unexplained disappearance has caused her family much distress, with no clues to her...
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Dead man, of German origin, found floating in the sea near Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria

by Timon .:. | May 12, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsThe body of a 58-year-old German man was found this Friday floating just off the coast of Mogán, on the south-west of Gran Canaria. At 10:42 a.m. the main 112 Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES) received an...
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The Canary Awards 2023 Winners

by Timon .:. | May 12, 2023 | News | 0 Comments
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Massive rockfall in Amadores leads to concern at 4 star hotel

by Timon .:. | April 29, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsTourists and workers had a shock in the usually tranquil Gran Canaria beach resort of Amadores today this Saturday when two massive rocks fell from a slope about 30 meters high onto the private road at the back of the luxurious Gloria Palace Royal Hotel, in the...
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A Double Life: From Yumbo Nightlife Entrepreneur With A Playboy Lifestyle To Canarian Tech Investor

by Timon .:. | April 28, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsEdgar Aldaz was arrested on Wednesday morning at his home, among the private bungalow complexes of the privileged, leafy avenues of Campo de Internacional, in sunny Maspalomas on the touristed south of Gran Canaria.  After spending a night in the cells, he gave...
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Two arrested on suspicion of stealing doors from a parked car in Patalavaca, Mogán

by Timon .:. | April 26, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsOn April 17, 2023, the Guardia Civil on Gran Canaria identified two individuals, aged 27 and 41, as the alleged perpetrators of a crime of theft using force, having stolen two doors from a vehicle parked on a public road in Patalavaca (Mogán), in addition to causing...
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Maspalomas Town Hall to approve new viewpoint over Playa del Inglés

by Timon .:. | April 26, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsThe hillside overlooking Playa del Inglés, where the abandoned old "toboplaya" waterslide sits, on the touristed south coast of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, is to be approved for the construction of a new viewpoint, as part of the major renovations and clean up of the...
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Spanish Air & Space Force Super Puma Strikes Rocks At Night on Gran Canaria

by Timon .:. | April 24, 2023 | News | 0 CommentsThe Spanish airforce may have renamed themselves the "Air & Space Force" last year, but it seems they still sometimes fly beyond the limits of their highly trained pilots' abilities.  But then, isn't that exactly what training missions are for, to push the...
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