Azores’ mountain trails attract ever more tourists – meaning increasing numbers run into difficulties in areas like Pico (Portugal’s highest mountain), and require rescuing. Rescue operations cost firefighting corporations a great deal, explain reports, thus the latest proposal that tourists who require rescuing (if they have ‘disobeyed the regulations of access to Pico’) should be charged €1,200. This is an interesting proposal, particularly if rescue operations encounter corpses. Who then would be expected to pay the bills? These details were not addressed in a report by RTP that explains 20 people have needed rescuing from Pico mountain this year – “a number very much above the average of previous years”.
Azores firefighters call for ‘charging’ tourists who run into difficulties on mountain trails
Breathtaking image from top of Pico mountain. Image: https://hominisnatura.com/climbing-pico/
