A tragic accident has claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl in the Canary Islands. The teenager fell to her death while playing with friends inside a long-abandoned 20-storey hotel in Tenerife.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The incident occurred at the notorious unfinished hotel in Añaza, north of Tenerife, known locally as the 'Añaza monstrosity'. The girl was reportedly playing inside the derelict structure with friends when the fall happened. Three other girls raised the alarm after the horrific event.
Police and emergency services, including firefighters from the Tenerife Consortium and the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), rushed to the scene. Officers attempted to resuscitate the victim, but sadly, she could not be revived. Preliminary investigations suggest she fell from the fifth floor onto the rocks below.
The National Police Homicide Unit has launched a full investigation into the death. While police believe the girl lived in the Añaza area, her nationality has not been officially released.
A Long History of Danger and Neglect
This tragedy marks the fifth fatality at the cliff-top building. The hotel has been empty for more than 50 years and is known for its extreme hazards, including open lift shafts and unprotected windows.
Local residents have long warned that the site, often used by young people for extreme sports and other illicit activities, is a death trap. Intruders regularly ignore surrounding fencing. The building's history of dangerous incidents includes:
- In 2022: A 50-year-old woman threatened to jump from the 13th storey before police intervention.
- In 2020: Two thrill-seekers were caught jumping between the building's open balconies for fun.
- By 2017: Public reports indicated at least four people had died in the building—three from accidents and one suspected suicide.
One resident highlighted the constant peril, stating, "The building has completely exposed lift shafts, and anyone entering could easily fall down them if they’re not careful, trip, or plummet from any of the floors."
Calls for Action and Planned Demolition
Following this latest death, furious locals are demanding 'urgent action' to prevent further tragedies. There appears to be a move towards finally addressing the danger.
In a significant development, the Santa Cruz City Council and the Tenerife Island Council agreed on a grant in June to cover the demolition of the decrepit hotel. Local media reported the demolition was expected to cost around £1 million (approximately 1.15 million euros).
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of securing derelict and hazardous structures to protect curious youths and prevent unauthorized access, a lesson with global resonance.
