News from Tenerife (#29) 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.
Fire at Güímar Industrial Estate Affected 12,800 Square Meters
News from Tenerife #29/1
The fire, classified as level 3, caused partial damage to a storage warehouse and destroyed the surrounding area, damaging vehicles, containers, machinery, and gas tanks.
The Cabildo of Tenerife officially declared on Wednesday evening that the fire, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon in a storage warehouse at the Güímar industrial estate, in the municipality of Candelaria, was extinguished. There were initial fears that the fire would spread to a second warehouse belonging to a nearby logistics company. Throughout the day, firefighting teams kept the affected facility wet to prevent flare-ups. Investigations are now starting to determine the cause of the fire and to assess the condition of the damaged structure.
The fire, which prompted the closure of the highway in both directions due to the massive smoke development, affected 8,800 square meters of the property’s exterior area and another 4,000 square meters of the area between the road and the highway. Thanks to the quick intervention of the emergency services — a fire station recently opened at the industrial estate — it was possible to prevent the fire, classified as level 3 and difficult to control due to combustible materials and prevailing winds, from spreading to the interior of the warehouse. Only partial damage to doors, facades, and windows was reported.
However, the flames did cause damage to several parked vehicles, containers, machinery, gas tanks, and other materials in the vicinity of the warehouse. During the emergency, an operation was deployed consisting of more than 40 members of the Tenerife Fire Brigade, reinforced by forest firefighters from the Cabildo of Tenerife, volunteer firefighters, Guardia Civil, local police, Canarian police, civil protection, and medical emergency services, who treated one person for smoke inhalation.
It is now up to the municipality of Candelaria to carry out a technical evaluation of the condition of the affected building.
Los Cristianos remains the connecting port with the sister islands
News from Tenerife #29/2
The Ministry of Ecological Transition is about to finalize the approval of an important modification in the delimitation of the Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) Teno-Rasca. This new measure aims to re-include a piece of territory that was previously excluded — where the controversial Fonsalía pier project in Guía de Isora was planned. The decision is considered a major step in safeguarding biodiversity on Tenerife and a response to the concerns of local environmental groups. The reclassification of Fonsalía as a ZEC would likely, almost automatically, remove the ZEC protection from the coastline and the port of Los Cristianos, paving the way for a project that sacrifices natural heritage in favor of port development.
The farewell to the Fonsalía pier puts an end to the debate over whether or not to build a port in that area. Attention now turns to the restructuring of the port of Los Cristianos and the traffic it generates. In this context, proposals are being considered to create a new port that would regenerate the bay without affecting Playa de Las Vistas.
Historically, the project for the Fonsalía port was repeatedly rejected, both in 2021 and in 2023, by the Government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo of Tenerife. They argued that its construction could seriously harm endangered species such as the loggerhead turtles and tropical pilot whales, as well as thousands of other species that inhabit the area.
The latest proposed option is now to build an entirely new port and dismantle the current one. This would involve constructing completely new infrastructure with wider open arms and sufficient docking spaces to guarantee the operations of the different shipping companies. The design also includes underwater gates that would allow the regulation of currents depending on the tides and various marine dynamics, thus ensuring the renewal of the bay’s waters.
Upon completion of the new port, the existing port would be demolished, leaving sufficient space for fishermen and a new marina for large yachts.
The Hiking Trail Ruta del Hermano Pedro
News from Tenerife #29/3
The 19 kilometers that form the Ruta del Hermano Pedro, from Vilaflor to Granadilla de Abona, were once again filled with the footsteps of more than a thousand hikers who, with each edition, experience tradition, heritage, nature, and faith along a trail with more than 400 years of history. The XVIII edition of the Ruta del Hermano Pedro brought together more than a thousand participants on Saturday, April 26.
A symbol of shared memory that begins its journey at 1,500 meters above sea level, after mass at 6:30 a.m., and was attended by the mayors of Granadilla de Abona, José Domingo Regalado, and Vilaflor de Chasna, Agustina Beltrán, along with other representatives from both municipal governments.
The trek began at dawn from Vilaflor de Chasna with more than five hundred participants, who were later joined by hikers and pilgrims from Granadilla, Charco del Pino, San Isidro, and El Médano. The route, jointly organized by the municipalities of Granadilla de Abona and Vilaflor de Chasna, benefited from the collaboration of entities such as AENA, TITSA, the Diocese of Nivariense, and religious and mountain volunteers.
The activity started at the Vilaflor square, with TITSA buses available from 5:00 a.m. from La Cueva. From 7:00 a.m., the journey began from Vilaflor towards the cave, arriving around 11:30 a.m. There were also starting points from the Convent of Granadilla casco (9:30 a.m.), Charco del Pino (El Chorro) (9:30 a.m.), the Culture Square of San Isidro (10:30 a.m.), and the square of El Médano (11:30 a.m.).
The route was accompanied by a safety team to ensure the protection of participants, consisting of the local police and civil protection of Granadilla de Abona and San Miguel de Abona, the Red Cross, and a special safety plan for the cave. The outcome was very positive, with no serious incidents among participants, except for some minor incidents typical of a walk of this scale.
Since 2005, when the study to recover and enhance the Hermano Pedro trail and its adjacent roads began, a challenge was set for the Chasna region: to rescue a symbol of collective memory, kept alive by the residents of Granadilla de Abona and Vilaflor de Chasna. The goal was to connect the various municipalities of the region (Fasnia, Arico, Granadilla de Abona, San Miguel de Abona, and Vilaflor de Chasna) through the revival of a route that intertwines history, faith, nature, and heritage.
The cultural route, which takes approximately five hours to complete, starts at around 1,500 meters altitude and covers a distance of 19 kilometers. The trail is not just a transhumance route between Vilaflor and Granadilla but is part of a network of traditional paths, some of which are depicted on historical maps from the 18th and 19th centuries. This was the path that Hermano Pedro used to move his flock.
Canarian Wrestling Tradition for a School in Gambia
News from Tenerife #29/4
What started as a conversation among friends after a swim at Playa Chica in El Médano has grown into an international cooperation project that has changed the lives of hundreds of children and families in Gambia. A few months before its tenth anniversary, the association Solidarios Canarios continues to improve the self-sustaining educational center they established in the village of Jalokoto.
Recently, demonstration days of Canarian wrestling were organized. Thanks to donated equipment from teams in Arona and La Palma, the children were able to train and learn the techniques of this sport. A terrero (wrestling ring) was set up with truckloads of sand for the event. Although it seemed like just one day, Canarian wrestling was a great success. The initiators are not wealthy benefactors or famous thinkers, but ordinary people who started with modest means and a firm goal: to help where the need is greatest, always with the Canary Islands in their hearts.
They began this adventure without knowing exactly where it would lead. Four friends, who watched Tenerife and swam at a beach in El Médano, thought in 2015 about helping fellow human beings. They traveled to Ethiopia to assist locally. The destination was not random: Carlos Sánchez, one of the founders, had adopted an Ethiopian child. From that informal idea, Solidarios Canarios was born. The rest is history.
After considering various options and due to logistics and the influx of more volunteers, they eventually decided on Gambia: just two hours flight from Gran Canaria with a direct Binter flight that was available at the time. Thus, without many resources or previous experience, they embarked on the first steps of this long journey. In the first year, the volunteers brought a thousand kilos of school and sports materials to different places in Gambia, along with 10,000 euros and sacks of rice for numerous families. The money was used to improve housing, such as installing corrugated iron roofs. But they didn’t want their help to stop at occasional donations. Moved by the villages and their inhabitants, they decided to improve an entire village integrally.
The plan was to choose a village and build a school there. Within a few days, they decided that Jalokoto, a village in the southwest of Gambia, would be the place. They bought a plot of 2,500 m², later expanded to 8,000 m². There, they started a self-sustaining project, with solar panels and two water wells that guarantee daily water supply. In this country, it rains a lot between June and October, with up to 23 rainy days per month. The water seeps underground, forming subterranean reservoirs.
After a long construction period, the first school year started in September 2018 with 75 students. Today, there are more than 336 students, some coming from villages more than an hour away. There are several classroom buildings named after important places and figures: Ayalew (Carlos’ son), Echeyde, Luther King, CEIP La Jurada, Islas Canarias, Playa Chica, among others.
Housing has also been built for the teaching staff: 35 employees, of whom 26 are women. Previously, some had to travel up to four hours; now they can stay overnight during the week. Additionally, six mothers of students work in the school canteen, ensuring a daily meal for both students and staff. For many, this is their only meal of the day.
Solidarios Canarios organizes events, sells books through social networks, and seeks support across the island. One of the main events is the solidarity festival at the central square of El Médano, which this year will be held on June 26 and 28, from noon until late at night, with more than 100 volunteers participating. Last year, during a single event, they raised 28,000 euros. This year, they have quadrupled the number of sponsors. Companies have massively supported the cause. All funds raised will go entirely to the project.
The immediate goals are the construction of three new classrooms to complete the secondary education offer and the establishment of vocational training workshops in carpentry, welding, and sewing.
Canarian Dermatologists Warn Tahat Tatoos May Increase the Risk of Cancer
News from Tenerife #29/5
The Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, through its Dermatology Department, has highlighted a recent study conducted in Denmark and published in the journal BMC Public Health, which indicates that tattoos, especially large tattoos, may be associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as lymphomas and skin cancers.
The study analyzed data from more than 2,500 pairs of twins (over 5,000 people), controlling for genetic and environmental factors, and supports previous calls from prominent organizations (the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the European Commission) for further research into the potential carcinogenic effects of tattoo inks, especially black inks that may contain hazardous substances.
Dr. Marina Martínez, dermatologist, explains that the study by the Danish Epidemiology Service found that the presence of tattoos in individuals meant a level 3 risk of developing skin cancer, and even lymphoma. In addition, she adds, the study observed an increased risk of bladder cancer and urogenital system disorders, although the statistical significance in the latter case was not very strong. Another important factor that emerged from the study is the size of the tattoo.
Dr. Martínez states that in all subjects with a tattoo larger than the size of a palm, the risk was not merely doubled, but the risk of developing skin cancer and lymphoma was three to four times higher than in the general population.
The high temperatures, prolonged sun exposure, and strong solar radiation are factors that must be considered in the Canary Islands to prevent skin conditions. If we combine this with the warning from the aforementioned study and the presence of tattoos, we might speculate and potentially draw inaccurate conclusions.
Martínez clarifies that although ultraviolet exposure was not specifically mentioned in the study, a possible hypothesis would be that UV radiation interacts with the components of the tattoo ink, possibly turning them into even more dangerous substances. According to the health professional, the location of the tattoo on the body does not play a role in the degree of protection against the harmful effects of the ink. Based on the variables studied, the position of the tattoo on the body was not considered a relevant factor. However, one could hypothesize that areas of thicker skin might be less prone to problems and that areas of thinner skin might carry more risk, but there is no scientific evidence to support this.
Dermatologist Marina Rodríguez recommends being well-informed before getting a tattoo, consulting certified professionals, and remaining vigilant for any skin changes after getting a tattoo. Although additional evidence is still needed, these findings highlight the importance of caution and the need for information campaigns from health authorities.
Rodríguez points out that this study fits into a growing interest by the scientific community in evaluating the long-term effects of cultural practices such as tattooing, which nowadays affects up to 40% of the young population in Western countries. Moreover, it is relevant to note that 60% of tattooed individuals regret getting their tattoos.
These events and developments have a significant impact on life in Tenerife, highlighting the diverse challenges, progress, and opportunities faced by the island.
Unknown © Photography
News from Tenerife #29 ©
News from Tenerife #29 ©
More NEWS can be read [HERE].
Interested in Tenerife?
Subscribe to our newsletter and always stay informed about the news on Tenerife.
Enter your first name and a valid email address below. Then click on Subscribe.
 is published every week as a short news overview of the past week on your favorite website.){kind=link}