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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EDITION 590
FRIDAY 8th DECEMBER TO THURSDAY 21st DECEMBER 2017 MOVIES AT ...
EATING OUT & ABOUT
PAGES PA 25 - 27
Your dining experience aroundd our o restaurants
PAGES 41 -48
FORTNIGHTLY SUPPLEMENT NT
property
guide
“TOURISTS MUST FEEL SAFE” SAYS NIGHTCLUB INDUSTRY Shocking floor collapse: the aftermath
I
NTERNATIONAL nightlife entrepreneurs are calling on Adeje council to adopt a new standard for clubs and discos so tourists can feel happy about their safety on nights out in Tenerife. Their offer of help follows the shocking collapse of part of the dance floor of the Butterfly Club in CC Playa Shop, Playa de las Americas on November 26th when 40 people were injured, many of them with broken arms or legs and others with severe bruising, cuts and shocks. They plummeted to the
basment below and it has been described as “a miracle” that no-one was killed, bringing back horrific memories of the collapse of a block of flats in the centre of Los Cristianos in 2016 when seven people lost their lives. The International Nightlife Association says it believes the incident at the club in Avenida
Five rescued from burning flat
Rafael Puig Lluvina at 2.30am, currently subject to an extensive investigation, was an isolated case but still believes it gives a bad impression of nightclub venues and generally affects people’s concerns about their safety and vulnerability. The association says it has been working on the new international safety standard for four years with the United Nations and wants Adeje to adopt it on a two tier basis, the first level for basic and the
second for more advanced security measures. The association is making the suggestion through its member association in Spain (Spain Nightlife). “We want to offer all our knowledge, means and tools available to try to prevent incidents like these from happening again,” they said in a statement. “The certificates incorporate an inspection protocol that allows for improving the safety and security of nightlife esta-
Police step up patrol checks
P
OLICE are stepping up security in Costa del Silencio, El Fraile, Las Galletas, El Palm-Mar and Guaza.
F
IVE people needed medical treatment after escaping from a burning flat in Candelaria.
A 61-year-old woman suffered mild burns to a hand whilst another woman, aged 75, and a man of 65 were treated by medics for smoke inhalation. Two other men received medical treatment at the scene for steam burns. The incident happened in calle Batayola in the mid-afternoon with flames shooting from the flat on the fifth floor. The five took refuge on the terrace because of the thick smoke and were rescued by the fire brigade. The fire caused serious damage.
Local police in Arona and the rural district patrol group of the Civil Guard have launched a special joint operation. There will be increased patrols in the early evenings, together with more document checks, routine police stops and drug surveillance. The campaign follows repeated requests and complaints from local residents of these areas who have been complaining about drink-driving, recklessness on the roads, noise and general disturbances. “We are very grateful for the involvement of residents as this is fundamental,” said Arona’s police councillor Carolina Reverón.
blishments as well as distinguishing between those venues who promote safety in a clear and open way and those who do not. The seal not only promotes the passive safety of users but also active safety and protects them from very diverse possibilities. “ The association points out that nightlife accounts either directly or indirectly for about 33 per cent of international tourism so safety is extremely important. “When an incident like this
occurs, the image of the destination where it has occurred is also seriously damaged, as well as the image of the rest of nightlife venues in the area and the world, which is why a joint commitment of the administration and the sector in favour of the safety of nightlife establishments is essential for certifying and highlighting their safety on an international basis,” they say. The 40 people injured were of all nationalities, including at least two Brits.
Puerto tragedy
T
HERE was tragedy in Puerto de la Cruz when a 45-year-old tourist fell from the fifth floor of an hotel.
The emergency services were called to the scene in avenida de Venezuela but there was nothing they could do to save his life. The victim was of German nationality. An investigation is underway but first indications ruled out the involvement of any other person.