A picturesque beach on a popular holiday island has been closed due to fears loose rocks could crush tourists.
Benijo beach, in the Santa Cruz area of Tenerife, nicknamed the “hidden gem”, has dealt yet another blow to tourists.
Thousands of tourists flock to the beautiful Taganana beach, despite the strenuous walk to get there.
The beach opens up to stunning views of the rock formations of Roques de Anaga and has been praised for its sunsets.
A tourism website says: “Its sunsets are simply magical, especially when the sparkling sea contrasts with the red horizon and the dark outline of the volcanic rocks rising from the depths of the ocean.”
But Benijo beach has now banned visitors due to fears that the cliff could collapse.
The alarm was raised after a series of small landslides were detected in recent weeks.
The local council fears a hillside around the beach may be unstable as terrifying debris was seen falling from above.
Benijo beach will remain closed to the public while authorities assess the risks.
A statement from the Santa Cruz City Council confirmed today: “The councilor for Citizen Security and Emergencies, Gladis de León, signed this morning a decree to close access to Benijo beach due to small landslides observed in recent weeks.
“This preventive measure will also involve monitoring this situation and several technical reports were even commissioned to assess both the risk of this slope and the possible necessary actions.
“The City Council’s infrastructure department is already analyzing, as a matter of urgency, the first technical measures to resolve this problem.”
The situation does not appear critical, but authorities said they are implementing the necessary precautionary measures.
Signage will be posted in the beach access area to warn all tourists to stay away from the danger zone.
The council adds: “Security and emergency personnel, present in the Anaga massif, will also carry out these informative tasks for the public, appealing to everyone’s responsibility to avoid unnecessary risks”.
The beach closure is a further blow to tourists after two other popular beaches were recently restricted.
Last week, a shocking warning was issued at Playa Jardin in the same area, indefinitely banning tourists from swimming in the water.
Swimmers have been banned from dipping their toes in the sea following a report of contamination.
Health chiefs have told visitors they risk contracting infections and gastrointestinal illnesses if they do not comply.
Another famous “black sand” beach will remain closed during the summer due to the horrific rockfalls that occurred nearby.
Playa de Los Patos, which attracts thousands of tourists every year with its unusual coal-black sand, closed just weeks before the peak holiday season.
The news comes after the beach cliff suffered frightening landslides on Christmas Day last year.
A Spanish environmental campaign group also named and shamed 50 coastal areas with problems including chemical pollution, marine waste, excessive development and sewage discharges.
Meanwhile, the Brits heading for the sun Spain are met with a frosty reception as locals attack foreigners with water pistols in the latest anti-tourism demonstrations.
The unfortunate tourists could be seen being sprayed while enjoying dinner on the restaurant’s patio.
Tourists are being unfairly targeted as locals are furious about the cost of living and the housing crisis which has reportedly caused housing costs to rise by 68% in the last decade.
Some locals blame tourists for rising prices as “drunk” Brits are ruining their hometowns.
Frustrated residents say they are being forced out of their neighborhoods, with more properties being converted into AirBnBs and hotels.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story