According to a report by a guide to JM, tourists continue to risk their lives on Madeira’s walking trails, violating the rules, especially between Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro. Despite being closed, because of the August 2024 fires, the path continues to be popular with many either climbing the barrier or risking life and limb by going around the fence.
The guide further stated:
“There have always been walks on this island and there have never been so many accidents, I think this because people are trying to take that perfect shot for their social media pages and do not understand the risks to themselves and others. I am concerned about the dangerous situations that are currently happening in the region’s mountainous areas.”
On the 27th of March, a young man of German nationality lost his life when he fell from a slope in Pico do Areeiro, after trying to take a photograph. The unfortunate tourist jumped over the safety barrier and fell 200m to his death.
The rescue and removal of the body was dangerous, due to its location, and involved a vast rescue team, with 13 operatives and three wide-angle mountain rescue vehicles from the Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters (BVM), as well as a team of drones and the helicopter from the Regional Civil Protection Service.
A few moments ago, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) announced that Levada do Furado, pedestrian route PR 10 – between Ribeiro Frio and Lamaceiros – will be closed on Thursday, the 3rd of April for maintenance work.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
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