News from Tenerife (#25) is published every week as a short news overview of the past week on your favorite website.
In this series, we publish a number of events and news facts from the past week. Each article in News from Tenerife is a synthesis of several facts, actions, and occurrences that are too short to be published as a full-fledged article.
Carnival thief arrested with around twenty stolen iPhones
News from Tenerife #25/1
The National Police have released details about the arrest of a 26-year-old man caught red-handed with a stockpile of stolen iPhones during the recent Carnival festivities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The suspect had 20 high-end mobile phones and two vehicle control units in his possession, allegedly stolen from various locations across the island.
The incident came to light when alert police officers noticed a suspicious vehicle in early March. The driver, previously known to law enforcement, attempted to conceal items in the glove compartment when he saw the officers approaching. At the same time, theft reports had been filed regarding two stolen iPhones—a blue iPhone 13 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max—taken during the Carnival celebrations. The tracking features on these phones led the officers directly to the suspect’s vehicle. Upon searching the car, police discovered 20 iPhones, cleverly hidden in various compartments, with some wrapped in aluminium foil to avoid detection. They also found two vehicle control units—one from a Volkswagen and one from a Mercedes.
Police quickly identified the owners of eight of the stolen phones, who confirmed their devices had disappeared on March 2nd during Carnival celebrations and along the popular nightlife strip Verónicas in Playa de las Américas. During their investigation into the suspect’s methods, police discovered that he had been using a phishing scam to unlock stolen phones. He sent WhatsApp messages to the emergency contacts stored on the stolen devices, claiming he had found their phones and requesting personal information. Victims were then directed to a fake Apple webpage, where they unwittingly entered their emails and passwords, which the suspect later exploited for fraudulent transactions.
Given his previous convictions for similar crimes, including fraud and receiving stolen property, the suspect is currently in custody as investigations continue. Authorities are working to identify additional victims and determine the origin of the other confiscated items. The National Police urge the public to report mobile phone theft immediately and remain cautious when receiving suspicious links, thereby preventing digital fraud and protecting personal information.
Portuguese man o’ war spotted near Tenerife beaches
News from Tenerife #25/2
A yellow flag has been raised at Las Teresitas beach in Santa Cruz de Tenerife after several Portuguese man o’ wars were discovered on the shore. The sting from these marine creatures is significantly more painful than that of a regular jellyfish. In addition to the yellow flag, a special purple flag has also been raised as a marine fauna warning, alerting beachgoers to potential dangers. Furthermore, the Red Cross has deployed a boat patrol to check if more of these dangerous visitors are present in the swimming area, ensuring the water remains safe for the public.
With the Portuguese man o’ war clearly present this summer in Spain, it’s important for everyone to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. Enjoy the beach, but exercise caution and keep an eye out for these unwanted sea visitors to ensure a safe and pleasant seaside experience. This isn’t the first time the Canary Islands have encountered these unwelcome visitors. In the summer of 2023, a 6-year-old girl was stung by a Portuguese man o’ war in San Sebastián, La Gomera, leading to temporary beach closures and heightened safety measures.
Recently, multiple specimens were also sighted at La Pinta beach in Costa Adeje. These incidents underline the importance of caution and awareness when these creatures are present, as their venomous tentacles can cause severe reactions.
Five New Speed Cameras on Busy Roads
News from Tenerife #25/3
The Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) activated 17 new speed cameras across the country as part of the nationwide plan to expand speed controls by 2025. Tenerife is included in this expansion, with five new speed control devices installed on several key roads on the island. Specifically, the installations include three fixed speed cameras and two average-speed (section) controls placed on the TF-5 motorway and the TF-66, TF-65, and two separate locations on the TF-655 in the southern part of the island. These new installations form part of a broader strategy that will see a total of 122 new speed cameras placed throughout Spain by 2025, primarily targeting conventional roads and heavily trafficked routes.
As usual, all new speed cameras are clearly marked with warning signs, and their exact locations can be found on the DGT’s official website. This information has also been shared with GPS service providers to ensure their inclusion in digital maps and navigation routes. During the first month after activation, drivers exceeding the speed limits at these locations will not be fined. Instead, they will receive a letter at home informing them of their offence as a warning. This transitional period is intended to raise awareness and encourage voluntary compliance before actual enforcement begins. After this initial period, drivers caught speeding by these new cameras will be fined according to the standard penalties framework applied by the DGT.
The DGT once again highlights the dangers of speeding, referring to data from the Traffic Safety Observatory, which shows that an increase of just 10 km/h can raise the risk of a fatal accident by 220%. The installation of these new speed cameras aims to reduce the number of road accidents and promote safer driving behaviours on the Canary Islands and throughout Spain
Traffic lights on the TF-5 motorway
News from Tenerife #25/4
After unsuccessful measures to end traffic congestion on the TF-5 motorway within 90 days, Rosa Dávila opts to install traffic lights on the highway. Rosa Dávila, President of the Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo), will present a project to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) in Madrid on April 2, proposing the installation of intelligent traffic lights at the access points to the northern TF-5 motorway. She made this announcement during an interview on Radio Club.
Day after day, the TF-5 continues to suffer from severe congestion and traffic issues. Rosa Dávila was unable to fulfil her ambitious election promise to resolve the motorway’s traffic problems within 90 days. Neither after 90 days nor even after 21 months has she succeeded, making the island’s traffic situation a continuous and unresolved headache.
In an interview with radio station SER, Dávila stated that the Cabildo aims to invest four million euros in the project’s first phase, optimising the most critical access points to improve traffic flow and reduce waiting times. “If everything proceeds smoothly, we could begin tendering the first phase up to Tacoronte this year, for which four million euros have been earmarked, and the system could become operational by 2026,” said the President.
She added that this idea originated from a final-year university project by a student at the University of La Laguna. According to the President, the proposed system will regulate traffic in real-time, adapting junctions up to Tacoronte based on vehicle numbers, thereby preventing saturation of main roads and enhancing the overall traffic flow.
III Canary Islands Rent-a-Car Congress
News from Tenerife #25/5
This significant event is organized by the Professional Association of Car Rental Companies in the Canary Islands (APECA). The congress brings together around one hundred professionals, industry companies, and representatives from governmental institutions. Under the title “Tourism in the Canary Islands: the mobility challenge,” this gathering serves as a strategic forum to discuss the essential role of the car rental sector within the islands’ current and future tourism model.
Prominent national figures will attend the event, including Carlos Abella, Secretary General of the Spanish Tourism Council, and Juan Luis Barahona, President of Feneval, the Spanish Car Rental Industry Association. Political representatives such as Francisco Javier González, Vice-Minister of Infrastructure of the Canary Islands Government, and Manuel Fernández Vega, Island Councillor for Industry in Tenerife, will also be present. They will be joined by representatives of the largest Rent-a-Car companies operating on the islands, encompassing regional firms as well as national and international operators with significant presence in the Canary Islands.
Within a context where tourism in the Canary Islands faces challenges such as reducing overcrowding at popular destinations, sustainability, improved connectivity between tourist centres and rural areas, and adapting to an increasingly demanding and digital audience, the congress aims to offer space for collective reflection and shared solutions from within the sector. Car rental plays a crucial role in the tourist experience on the islands, offering flexibility, accessibility, and adaptability to demand, while also generating significant employment and economic activity.
With this third edition, APECA reinforces its role as a dialogue partner with governmental bodies and as a driving force behind conversations among all stakeholders involved in one of the pillars of Canary Islands tourism: mobility.
European Commission offers funds to the Canary Islands to address deficiencies in wastewater treatment
News from Tenerife #25/6
The A delegation from Nueva Canarias meets with the Head of Clean Water Services to develop a roadmap and avoid future sanctions.
The European Commission has offered financial support to the Canary Islands to correct the deficiencies identified in wastewater treatment, a problem that has led to the initiation of several sanction procedures against various municipalities. Currently, the Canary Islands face four ongoing infringement cases related to illegal discharges, one of which is already in the enforcement phase with an estimated cost of 12 million euros. The Commission has confirmed that these violations, in some cases long-standing, continue to have a negative impact on the environment and public health, especially in areas such as Arico.
The concern over this situation was raised by Pedro Jonay Díaz, president of the local committee of Nueva Canarias–Bloque Canarista de Arico, and Juan Daniel Fajardo, vice president of Nueva Canarias Tenerife. Both representatives stated that, after submitting several formal requests to the Arico City Council and the Government of the Canary Islands without receiving a satisfactory response, they decided to bring the matter to the highest European authority.
For now, the two spokespeople have outlined a roadmap with Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, MEP from Compromís, and Paula Duarte, Head of the Marine Environment and Clean Water Services Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment. The Canary Islands representatives emphasized the “negative impact of poor wastewater management in the region” and the “urgent need” to improve sanitation infrastructure.
According to NC representatives, the European Commission is willing to provide funding through the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) — provided that an adequate regional plan is presented.
These events and developments have a significant impact on life in Tenerife, highlighting the diverse challenges, progress, and opportunities faced by the island.
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News from Tenerife #25 ©
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