News from Tenerife (#36) 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.
Person Rescued from Wooden Pallet
News from Tenerife #36/1
The Guardia Civil rescued a person who had planned to cross from Tenerife to Gran Canaria on a wooden pallet. Officers of the Guardia Civil, belonging to the Tenerife Provincial Maritime Service, saved a 37-year-old man who was drifting on a wooden pallet near Las Galletas.
They were alerted by Salvamento Marítimo (the Spanish Maritime Rescue Service), which reported a person adrift off the coast of Arona, specifically in the coastal area of Las Galletas. One of the Guardia Civil Maritime Service boats, the Río Guadiato, went to the area and began the search.
The individual was found on the wooden pallet and brought aboard a Guardia Civil rescue boat for assistance. Once rescued, the man stated he had intended to cross to Gran Canaria. At the time of rescue, he was in good condition but showed early signs of hypothermia. He was taken to the dock at Las Galletas, where a paramedical ambulance awaited to assess his condition.
From a Rainy Spring to a Warmer-Than-Usual Summer
News from Tenerife #36/2
Canarians are saying goodbye to the second most humid spring of this century and welcoming a summer expected to be warmer than usual. Over the past three months, rainfall has been doubled compared to the archipelago’s norm, particularly in April with a 329% level of normal precipitation. Average rainfall was 106 mm per square metre. These high levels are linked to the passage of storms Nuria and Olivier, which, although more present on the peninsula, also left their mark on the islands, explained Víctor Quintero, director of the Meteorological Centre in Santa Cruz de Tenerife at Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet, during this morning’s presentation of the climatic balance and seasonal forecast for the coming months.
The spring was not only wet but also slightly cooler than expected. The average temperature was 16.5 °C, with more deviation in the western province than in the eastern. March was the coldest month, with anomalies of 0–1 °C from the average.
On the other hand, the weather station predicts a summer warmer than normal, with a 70% likelihood. Meteorologists warn that temperatures will begin rising from next weekend. Even today, light episodes of calima are expected. Aemet has detected daily June temperatures above the 20 °C average, though only slightly.
Sea surface temperature during spring was nearly 21 °C, over half a degree above normal, making spring 2025 one of the six warmest since 1940 in terms of sea surface temperature. Higher temperatures are expected in the coming weeks as sea temperatures climb in summer. As land temperatures rise, sea temperatures tend to follow.
Regarding the hydrological year—from October 2024 to September 2025—values began near normal but fell as the year progressed. Although spring was rainy, it wasn’t enough to offset the water deficit carried over since October. Current precipitation levels are 28% below expected norms, and while some islands reached normal levels, it wasn’t sufficient to raise the average. Only parts of La Gomera and La Palma exceeded the average.
Arrested at Airport with 1.5 kg of Gold
News from Tenerife #36/3
Officers from the Guardia Civil’s customs section at Tenerife Norte airport recently intercepted three men, aged 42–44, just as they attempted to pass security into the restricted boarding zone for a flight to Madrid.
Thanks to a diligent search operation, the Guardia Civil intercepted two men carrying a significant amount of gold and later located the third accomplice. Each of the two was found carrying a concealed pouch at their abdomen, holding numerous gold items collectively weighing over 1.5 kg. They failed to prove the gold’s origin, appeared nervous and alert throughout, gave incoherent answers, and couldn’t provide concrete details about the source.
The third man was found shortly afterward as he tried the same security filter. A Guardia Civil investigation was launched immediately to determine the gold’s origin and final destination, revealing he was traveling with the other two. After appropriate checks, the Guardia Civil contacted the National Police, who confirmed an existing investigation into several gold thefts on the island. Accordingly, the Guardia Civil handed over the three suspects and confiscated gold to the National Police.
Sustainable Rollout to Guarantee Offshore Wind
News from Tenerife #36/4
The Canary Islands Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy held a technical workshop on Tuesday, June 18 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the environmental assessment of offshore wind energy projects. This training action is part of a ministerial pathway to establish a shared, rigorous vision of environmental procedures governing the development of this technology on the islands.
Ángel Montañés, Director General for Ecological Transition and Climate Change Mitigation, emphasized that this workshop is part of the Canary Islands Government’s strong commitment and the Mesa de la Energía Eólica Marina(Offshore Wind Energy Table). Created at the beginning of the legislature, it brings together administrations, developers, technical experts and citizens around developing this renewable energy in local waters. “We want this technology introduced quickly, but with maximum environmental and legal guarantees,” he explained.
He also pointed out the unique opportunity for the Canary Islands to become the first Spanish territory to host such infrastructure, generating a new industry, skilled jobs for citizens, and a boost to a sustainable blue economy benefiting Canarians.
He added that the ministry continues to propose to the Spanish national ministry (MITECO) that the first national offshore wind tender be held exclusively in the Canary Islands, taking into account their specific potential and needs. “Our goal is clear: to make the Canaries the pioneering territory for offshore wind in Spain, and with full guarantees. These workshops are a necessary step.”
The Tenerife workshop will be followed by a second training session in Gran Canaria, completing the training itinerary designed by the vice minister and director-general.
52 Firefighter Vacancies in Tenerife Fire Consortium
News from Tenerife #36/5
The Consorcio de Prevención, Extinción de Incendios y Salvamento (Fire Prevention, Extinction and Rescue Consortium) of Tenerife, under the Cabildo, has approved the call and regulations for the recruitment of 52 Specialist Firefighter-Drivers, Subgroup C1, as permanent civil servants in the Consortium.
Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, said:
“For us, the safety of people is very important. That’s why we have approved this call to recruit 52 firefighters, thereby increasing the staff of the Tenerife Fire Consortium. This will result in better service for all citizens.”
She noted the historic €25.9 million budget for 2025, a 1.48% increase over last year.
This budget boost allows the reinforcement of staff and the implementation of key infrastructure and equipment projects to enhance operational capacity and emergency response on Tenerife.
Alongside the 52 new positions, internal promotion processes will fill 19 crew chief roles.
Significant efforts are underway to improve personnel and infrastructure, with a temporary station now operational in Guía de Isora, preparations for a new facility in Arona in 2026, and imminent investments to upgrade the Icod de los Vinos fire station.
Investment also includes new vehicles and equipment, such as recently acquired drones.
The consortium also collaborates with eight volunteer firefighter associations, which this year will receive a total of eight new vehicles to support their work.
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 #36 ©
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