Foreign Office Updates Travel Advice Following Tragic Tenerife Paragliding Incident
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued revised travel guidance for Tenerife after a 28-year-old Italian tourist died in a devastating paragliding accident. The tragic event has prompted urgent safety reminders for visitors to the popular Canary Island.
Details of the Fatal Accident
Cristina Colturi, a 28-year-old holidaymaker from Milan, suffered fatal injuries during a tandem paragliding flight near La Enramada beach in Costa Adeje. The excursion, which had been booked as a Christmas gift, ended in catastrophe when the paraglider crashed into a rocky area.
Emergency services transported Cristina to the Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital in Santa Cruz on Friday, March 13, 2026. Despite receiving medical treatment, she succumbed to her injuries two days later. The paragliding instructor involved in the incident is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the Canary Islands.
Official Foreign Office Safety Guidance
The FCDO's updated advice explicitly warns British nationals about the dangers associated with paragliding activities in Tenerife. The guidance states that multiple British citizens have previously experienced serious injuries or fatalities while participating in this extreme sport.
Key safety recommendations include:
- Ensuring participants receive comprehensive instructions and proper training before engaging in paragliding activities
- Maintaining a safe distance from potential landing zones when near paragliding locations
- Being aware that landing areas may extend into public spaces
The Foreign Office emphasizes that "paragliding is an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death."
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Local authorities have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. The Canary Islands community has expressed profound shock and sadness following the tragedy, which has highlighted the inherent risks of adventure tourism activities.
Cristina's family has made arrangements for her burial in Tenerife, honoring her personal wishes. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safety precautions for tourists engaging in high-risk activities.
Tenerife's Tourism Significance
Tenerife remains one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers, with regular flights operating from Birmingham Airport (BHX) to the Spanish island. As part of the Canary Islands archipelago, which includes neighboring Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, Tenerife attracts millions of tourists annually seeking sun, sea, and adventure activities.
The Balearic Islands—comprising Menorca, Majorca, and Ibiza—similarly welcome numerous passengers from Birmingham each summer, though the recent tragedy has cast a shadow over adventure tourism safety standards across Spain's holiday islands.
