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Landslide Triggers Evacuations in Tenerife’s La Laguna
Residences have been evacuated in Tenerife following a significant landslide in the northeastern part of the island. Spanish media outlets report the incident occurred after a large rockfall impacted a home on Tuesday afternoon. The event prompted a swift response from emergency services and local authorities.
Incident Details and Location
According to the Canarian Weekly, an English-language news website, the landslide in Tenerife took place in La Laguna, specifically along the TF-13 highway. The affected area is situated between the town of Bajamar and the village of Punta del Hidalgo, within the municipality of La Laguna. The news source indicates that fifteen residents were evacuated from their homes as a precautionary measure.
Law enforcement and various emergency agencies have been deployed to the site. Vehicular traffic in the immediate vicinity is currently disrupted. While not the most densely populated area of Tenerife, the region is home to several hotels and restaurants, popular with tourists seeking a quieter vacation experience.
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Assessments
The Tenerife Island Council has issued a public advisory, warning of potential traffic delays due to ongoing investigations at the landslide location. Authorities have confirmed that no injuries have been reported as a result of the incident. However, emergency responders remain on high alert, monitoring the situation for the possibility of further landslides in Tenerife.
Radio Television Canaria (RTVC), a Spanish-language broadcaster, reports that technical personnel from the La Laguna City Council and the Tenerife Island Council are present at the scene. These experts are currently evaluating the stability of the slope and assessing the potential risk of subsequent landslides.
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A key aspect of their evaluation is to determine whether it is safe for evacuated residents to return to their properties. Local police and Civil Guard officers are actively managing traffic flow in the affected area to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations.
RTVC further reported that the Tenerife Fire Brigade Consortium utilized drone technology to conduct an initial aerial survey of the affected hillside, providing a comprehensive view of the damage and geological conditions.
The Canarian Weekly detailed that a rock detached from a hillside adjacent to the main road before colliding with the house, initiating the landslide event.
About La Laguna
Information from the Visiting Tenerife website highlights La Laguna, officially known as San Cristobal de La Laguna, as the second largest city in Tenerife, after Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is recognized as a significant historical center, boasting UNESCO World Heritage status.
The website describes La Laguna’s geographical setting: “La Laguna is nestled in the Aguere valley at the base of the Anaga mountains. The surrounding landscape offers remarkable scenery, and ascending into the hills allows for breathtaking panoramic views of the town situated below.”
Landslide Vulnerability Factors
Referencing the World Health Organization (WHO), landslides are defined as “the movement of a mass of rock, debris, earth, or soil down a slope.” The WHO emphasizes that landslides can be triggered by various factors, including heavy rainfall, prolonged droughts, seismic activity, or volcanic eruptions. Areas with increased susceptibility to landslides include:
- Steep terrain, particularly the base of canyons
- Areas previously impacted by wildfires
- Land modified by human activities such as deforestation or construction
- Channels along streams or rivers
- Areas with directed surface runoff or heavily saturated ground