British tourists have been warned they could be hit with a costly fine if they take part in the dangerous ‘balconing’ trend following the death of a young woman
Boozed-up young Brits heading to Ibiza have been issued an urgent warning about the dangers of jumping off balconies.
The new alert ahead of the busy party season follows the death of a 19-year-old woman who fell from the fourth floor of a hotel in San Antonio. The exact circumstances are currently under investigation, but it is thought the tragedy is connected to ‘balconing’ – a highly dangerous trend that sees people leap into swimming pools from their rooms. The teenager had only just returned to her room after visiting another part of the Spanish island when she plummeted to her death.
The woman, who was born in Turkey and lived in Italy, had only been in Ibiza for a few hours before the tragedy.
Medics had rushed to the scene but could do nothing to save her.
A number of similar tragedies involving young tourists falling from hotel balconies have been reported in recent years, including Scottish student Emma Ramsay, 19, who died last after falling from the sixth floor of a hotel in the same area.
Now, young British holidaymakers planning their getaways to Ibiza’s world-famous nightclubs have been warned they risk a painful death if they try and copy the stunt.
One local government source said the practice “worries us a lot”, while the Ministry of Tourism has pledged to bring “more responsible tourism” to the archipelago following a wave of party-related injuries and growing local oppoisition to tourists.
A set of byelaws recently introduced to Sant Antoni, Platja de Palma, S’Arenal de Lluchmajor and Magaluf put in place specific measures to try and stamp out balconing.
The curbs apply to “activities considered dangerous to the physical integrity of people” – including “jumping into the void from balconies or windows” and “accessing rooms or rooms from other balconies”.
Another new rule bans the consumption of alcohol on public roads, and people with open containers on the street can now be hit with fines of between 500 and 1,500 euros.
In addition, restrictions have been placed on promotions that encourage the consumption of large amounts of alcohol in a short space of time.
Shops have been banned from selling alcohol between 9.30pm and 8am, and offers will be restricted to three alcoholic drinks per person.
A source from the Ministry of Tourism told Periodico de Ibiza that they would continue to “invest resources in the development of information campaigns” that make clear the consequences of “not complying with the rules.”
Ana Gordillo, President of the Association of Hoteliers of Sant Antoni, said she hoped the death the young tourist “will not be repeated”, though pointed that it is not yet known exactly why she fell from the balcony of the hotel.