Canary Islands Witnesses 632 Emergency Incidents on Christmas Eve, Reflecting a 6% Increase from Last Year

On Christmas Eve, the picturesque Canary Islands experienced a significant uptick in emergency incidents, totaling 632. This increase highlights the challenges faced by emergency services during one of the busiest times of the year.

Emergency Management Insights

The Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES) 112, which operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion, and Water of the Canary Islands Government, was at the forefront of managing these incidents. The reporting period spanned from 22:00 on December 24 to 07:00 on December 25. The recorded incidents represent a 6.04% rise from the previous year, when 596 incidents were documented, indicating a growing demand for emergency services during the festive season.

Shifts in Emergency Call Patterns

Interestingly, despite the increase in incidents, the number of calls made to the emergency number 112 saw a dramatic decline this year. A total of 1,692 calls were logged, a stark contrast to the 2,424 calls received in 2024. This represents a significant decrease of 30.2%, suggesting that the public may be becoming more discerning in their use of emergency services, reserving calls for genuine emergencies rather than non-urgent matters.

Detailed Breakdown of Incident Types

Upon closer examination of the types of incidents reported, a general increase was observed across most categories, with one notable exception. Security-related incidents, which encompass property crimes, public disorder, and violence, experienced a 5.6% decrease, dropping from 301 incidents last year to 284 this Christmas Eve. This decline may reflect improved safety measures or community efforts to enhance security during the holiday period.

Conversely, incidents related to accidents, particularly traffic-related emergencies, saw a dramatic surge. There were 51 assistance calls for accidents this year, marking an astonishing increase of 82.1% from the 28 calls recorded in 2024. This spike raises concerns about road safety during the holiday festivities, a time when many people travel to celebrate with family and friends.

In addition to accidents, the fire-fighting, rescue, and salvage sector also reported an increase in activity. Assistance calls in this category rose from seven in 2024 to nine this year, reflecting a 28.5% rise. This uptick may indicate a growing need for emergency response in various situations, including fires and rescues, which can be more frequent during the holiday season.

Medical assistance calls also saw a notable increase, encompassing a range of issues from illnesses to medical consultations and secondary transport from health centers to hospitals. This year, there were a total of 262 medical interventions, up by 6.5% from the 246 recorded last year. Such increases highlight the ongoing demand for medical services during a time when many individuals may experience health-related issues due to holiday stress or festivities.

Furthermore, the Coordination Centre managed 26 additional incidents that included technical assistance for various challenges, such as road landslides, electrical failures, animal rescues, and water pumping. These incidents underscore the diverse nature of emergencies that can arise during the holiday season, necessitating a well-coordinated response from emergency services.

Provincial Breakdown of Incidents

When analyzing the distribution of incidents by province, the operations room in Tenerife handled 259 incidents, while Gran Canaria’s operations room managed a total of 373 incidents. This distribution indicates that Gran Canaria faced a higher volume of emergency situations, which may be attributed to its larger population and tourist influx during the holiday period.

Promoting Safety and Preparedness

In light of these statistics, CECOES 112 is committed to enhancing safety awareness among residents and visitors alike. The organization plans to continue its efforts in promoting self-protection measures through a series of informative video tips shared on social media platforms. This initiative, part of the “Safe Christmas” campaign, aims to provide straightforward guidelines that can help reduce risks during the holiday season, a time often characterized by large gatherings and celebrations.

Key points

• The Canary Islands recorded 632 emergency incidents on Christmas Eve.
• This marks a 6.04% increase from the 596 incidents reported in 2024.
• There were 1,692 calls made to the emergency number, a 30.2% decrease from the previous year.
• Security-related incidents decreased by 5.6%, from 301 to 284.
• Accident-related incidents surged by 82.1%, with 51 calls this year.
• Medical assistance calls increased by 6.5%, totaling 262 interventions.
• Tenerife managed 259 incidents, while Gran Canaria handled 373.