Two tourists were caught limboing under a safety rail to access a dangerous area in Calhau de São Jorge, today.
The route leads to the old pier area, and is closed due to the instability of the surrounding hillside. The Public Security Police was called to the scene.
This is in addition to the six tourists caught yesterday (February 13th) by an IFCN Forest Police Corps patrol as they clambered up a metal gate and started walking along the closed walking route PR1 – Vereda do Areeiro, the pathway that connects Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo.
“Ignoring the no-entry signs the tourists climbed over the gate. Four of the walkers were intercepted in the Pico Ruivo area, while the remaining two were apprehended in Pico do Areeiro, confirms the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, which oversees the Forest Police.
Under Portuguese law, the six will now face criminal proceedings.
The Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation reiterates the “importance of complying with existing signage.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: Diario da Noticias
