600 Personnel Deployed for Safety During Candelaria Pilgrimage
A total of 600 personnel will be deployed for security and medical support during the Candelaria pilgrimage and celebrations on August 14 and 15. This operation, announced today, involves staff from the Tenerife Island Council, Candelaria Town Hall, other local councils, the Canary Islands Government, security forces, TITSA, firefighters, and civil protection services.
Blanca Pérez, the Councillor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Safety, and Emergencies, stated that their main goal is to ensure the safety of thousands of pilgrims using various routes. Special attention will be given to the TF-28 road and the Old Road to Candelaria. She also highlighted that this year’s event comes with a high-temperature alert and forest fire risk, prompting the activation of preventive measures at trails and paths to minimise risks during potential emergencies.
Candelaria’s Mayor, Mari Brito, thanked all services involved in maintaining safety and emergency responses during the festivities in honour of the town’s patron. She emphasised the significance of setting up a field hospital and thanked Red Cross professionals for their commitment to ensuring the well-being of attendees.
The safety operation includes over 400 personnel from various departments and the Fire Consortium, enhancing the total to more than 600 personnel, including professionals and volunteers co-ordinated by CECOPIN Tenerife, CECOPAL Candelaria, and CECOES 112.
Health Support Measures
In collaboration with the Red Cross, a specific medical plan will be in place to meet the needs of pilgrims along traditional routes and in high-traffic areas in Candelaria. The Red Cross will deploy a team of 27 specialists, including doctors, nurses, emergency technicians, mountain rescuers, and volunteers, along with a field hospital and 12 additional medical resources, including both basic and advanced life support ambulances.
The Red Cross will operate across three main zones to ensure access to medical assistance along core pilgrimage routes and major congregation points, with Candelaria designated as the central hub featuring a 24-hour operational field hospital from 3 PM on August 14 to 3 PM on August 15.
Preventive Measures Along Pilgrimage Routes
In light of the forest fire risk alert, Tenerife Island Council has opted to close ten trails and forest paths usually used for the Candelaria pilgrimage. This measure came into effect from 6 PM on August 13 and will remain until the current alert is lifted, aimed at reducing crowding in wooded areas and facilitating emergency services.
Pilgrims are encouraged to use the Old Road to Candelaria, the TF-28, and urban routes while adhering to restrictions and checking for up-to-date information before travelling.
The trail closures affect several routes, including:
- Camino de los Jacobinos (Santa Úrsula) to TF-24.
- Sendero PR TF 25 from Las Calderetas to TF-24.
- Sendero PR TF 25.2 from Hoya del Abade to TF-24.
- And more across various locations.
Public Transport Enhancement
To assist with the anticipated crowds, TITSA will provide an additional 20,000 bus places on August 14 and 15 by reinforcing routes 120 and 122, and introducing a special 522 shuttle service between La Laguna and Candelaria. Additionally, passengers on these routes can park for free at Santa Cruz and La Laguna interchanges.
For further details, visit www.titsa.com.
