Nearly 100 people have been removed from Benijo Beach in north-east Tenerife after ignoring a long-standing closure due to the risk of rockfalls. Local Police have now warned that anyone entering the beach despite the ban will face fines.
An evacuation took place yesterday afternoon (Thursday), with officers supported by the council's drone unit. Santa Cruz City Council said it will increase police patrols, strengthen warning signs and expand the use of drones to detect anyone entering the restricted area.
Benijo Beach has been closed since 2024 because of the unstable cliffs overlooking the beach. Falling rocks continue to pose a serious danger to both the access route and the beach itself, and the closure will remain in place until work can be carried out to stabilise the area.
Despite the restrictions, the council says it regularly has to remove swimmers and visitors who continue to enter the beach. It also reported repeated vandalism since the closure, with warning signs, barriers and access blocks being damaged.
The Local Police said drones have been used on numerous occasions to locate beachgoers and monitor rockfalls. The drones broadcast a pre-recorded safety message in both English and Spanish, repeatedly instructing visitors to collect their belongings and leave the beach. Depending on wind and background noise, they typically fly at around 25 metres above the beach to ensure the message can be heard clearly.
