Hiker dies during heatwave warning at Pico de la Zarza

The key points: Show summary Hide summary

A female hiker, aged around 50, died of heatstroke whilst climbing Pico de la Zarza on Fuerteventura.
Rescue workers found the woman in cardiac arrest and were unable to revive her despite attempts at resuscitation.
The island was under an official heatwave warning at the time of the incident, and face-to-face lessons were cancelled at some schools.

Members see a handy summary here

A woman aged around 50 died on Tuesday whilst climbing Pico de la Zarza on Fuerteventura. According to initial reports, the woman suffered from heatstroke. The mountain is situated in the municipality of Pájara in the south of the island.

Hide advertising here!

The 112 Canarias emergency call centre received the call for help on Tuesday afternoon at 3.25 pm. The report concerned a woman at Pico de la Zarza who was complaining of feeling unwell due to the heat. The fire brigade, emergency services, Guardia Civil and the local police were dispatched to the scene.

The fire brigade helped the paramedics reach the woman due to the difficult terrain. By the time the emergency team arrived, the walker had already suffered a cardiac arrest. The emergency services began resuscitation, but were unable to revive her.

Heatwave warning and suspended lessons

The emergency services had deployed a rescue helicopter, an emergency doctor’s vehicle and an ambulance. The helicopter was already en route but turned back upon receiving word that the woman could not be saved. The Guardia Civil has launched an investigation. The woman’s nationality has not yet been disclosed by the authorities.

At the time of the incident, Fuerteventura was under an official heat warning due to extreme temperatures. It was one of the hottest days of the current heatwave. The government issued a specific appeal to reduce physical exertion during the hottest hours of the day, to drink plenty of fluids and to take extra care when exposed to heat for prolonged periods.

Pico de la Zarza is the highest peak on Fuerteventura

In some schools on Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, face-to-face teaching was even suspended due to the heat. Since Tuesday evening, the government has downgraded the heat warning to a pre-alert level.

The Pico de la Zarza is the highest peak on the Canary Islands. It is situated on the Jandía Peninsula in the municipality of Pájara and rises to a height of around 800 metres. The view from the summit across the south of Fuerteventura is considered to be particularly stunning. The route is one of the island’s most popular hiking trails, although there is very little shade.