A new video showing two British tourists performing a dangerous jump into a swimming pool at the Sol Tenerife hotel in Playa Las Americas, has sparked widespread criticism with many calling for tougher action against reckless behaviour at the island's holiday complexes.
The footage, which has been widely shared on TikTok, shows two men jumping into the hotel pool from an elevated terrace overlooking the swimming area, in a stunt many have compared to the dangerous practice of balconing.
Although the jumps were not made from a private hotel balcony, the height involved and the obvious risks have prompted concern among other holidaymakers, residents, and social media users alike.
Lifeguard unable to stop second jump
The video shows one man leaping into the pool with his arms outstretched before a second tourist prepares to follow.
A hotel lifeguard can then be seen rushing towards the platform in an attempt to stop the second jump. However, despite the intervention, the tourist ignores the warnings and jumps over the balcony into the water.
No injuries have been reported, and it is not known whether the hotel took any action against those involved.
Social media users demand tougher penalties
The footage has triggered a wave of criticism online, with many users arguing that behaviour of this kind puts not only the tourists themselves at risk but also hotel staff and other guests.
Comments online have included calls for the tourists to be removed from the hotel, given hefty fines, or face other penalties for ignoring safety rules.
Others criticised what they described as irresponsible behaviour, while some questioned whether the lifeguard's last-second attempt to physically intervene may also have increased the risk of an accident.
Dangerous trend remains under scrutiny
The incident comes as the Canary Islands continue efforts to discourage dangerous holiday behaviour, particularly stunts associated with balconing, which has resulted in numerous serious injuries and deaths across Spain over the past two decades.
According to figures from the international medical organisation Fundación iO, nearly 50 British nationals have died in Spain since 2004 while taking part in balconing-related incidents, making UK tourists the nationality most frequently involved in these types of accidents.
While it remains unclear whether this latest incident will lead to any official investigation or sanctions, it has once again reignited the debate over tourist behaviour and safety at holiday resorts in the Canary Islands.
