Magaluf balcony deaths spark tourist fines of up to £1,300 for anyone caught ‘balconing’
So far this year, three tourists have been ordered to cough up between £500 and £1,300, with the third just a few days ago on July 14
OFFICIALS in Magaluf are dishing out fines for "balconing" after a spate of horrific tourist deaths at the party resort.
So far this year, three tourists have been ordered to cough up between £500 and £1,300, with the third just a few days ago on July 14.
"Balconing" is the term given to the practice of either trying to climb on to balconies or from one room to another or to try and jump or dive into a swimming pool below.
The three fines in just seven months already equals the number reached in 2017 and is evidence of the concerted bid by all the authorities to stop the number of serious injuries and deaths which occur in Majorca.
The circumstances of the three balconing cases have not been made clear and the nationality of the holidaymakers involved has not been revealed either.
It is also not specified whether any of the cases led to injury or even death as there have been a number of fatalities this year in the Calvia district, which includes Magaluf.
However, police say of the five deaths which have occurred in Calvia so far this year, they believe four were caused by accidental falls.
Only in one of the cases was the person involved thought to be getting from one balcony to another.
Calvia council has made balconing an "offence" under its new strengthened "co-existence" laws which were first introduced in 2016 and have since seen the amount of the fines treble in some cases.
Recent meetings between tourism chiefs and officials have blamed alcohol as the main cause for the recklessness.
The "offence" of balconing deems anyone helping or encouraging someone to do so as also being responsible and liable for a fine.
However, it does not include the owner of the building where it happens.
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Deputy Mayor of Calvia, Andreu Serra yesterday met with the British ambassador in Spain, Simon Manley and the Consul General in the Balearic Islands, Lloyd Milen, together with the vice-consul, Lucy Gorman to discuss the problem.
Andreu Serra said there was shared concern about the cases of young people who have died and it was agreed to intensify the joint work of the administrations and the private sector.
The council said in a statement: "Emphasis will be put on the abusive offers of alcohol and in informative and dissuasive campaigns aimed at young people in their own countries."
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