Once more, Puerto de Mazarron has become the centre of attention for dog lovers and dog breeding enthusiasts as it hosted the 14th edition of the National Dog Show, an event that becomes more popular with each passing year and attracted participants, breeders, and of course, pups with prowess to the charming coastal municipality.

More than 100 professional pups take the stage in Mazarron

The event attracted trainers of more than 100 dogs of various breeds, including extremely rare ones. Visitors who attended the event were treated to a unique opportunity to see the wide range of appearances and skills of the talented dogs, and both experts and amateurs alike enjoyed the show.

The dogs were judged by experts on various categories and evaluations, and trainers also got an opportunity to register their animals’ pedigree and confirm their breed. The event was a mix of both dog show professionalism and public spectacle, so seasoned experts and newcomers could enjoy the show in equal measure.

A prestigious competition to showcase world-class canines

The competition also boasts significant prestige; it was an official qualifying event for the Championship of the Region of Murcia, drawing high-level trainers and world-class canines to the idyllic shores of Puerto de Mazarron. Many of the dogs seen in the competition are set to compete on an international level.

A dog-lover atmosphere during a beautiful afternoon in Puerto de Mazarron

But what truly defined the day was the lively and family-friendly atmosphere among the dog lovers at the show. Spectators of all ages gathered to admire the adorable, striking, and professional pups in an event that combined leisure and community spirit, all in a seaside atmosphere that made for a wonderful afternoon.

With the event, Puerto de Mazarron has once more established itself as a hub for major, world-class competitions on the Costa Calida, and the XIV National Dog Show stands out as a celebration of both canine beauty and the enduring bond between trainers and their incredible animals.

Benalmadena Marina has opened bidding for the full redevelopment of its nautical centre. Council leaders want to improve links between the port and the town while turning the site into a better place for strolling and sea views. The port first opened in 1987 and has been due an upgrade for many years.

Investment details and timeline

Project costs will reach almost €3.5 million, and works should take around 13 months once a contractor is chosen. Offers stay open until June 25 through the standard public contracting process. Earlier board decisions backed even bigger infrastructure upgrades worth more than €3.6 million but were toned down a little.

New viewing plaza and mobility improvements

Designers plan to turn the roof of the main nautical centre building into an elevated public viewing gallery. This space will connect directly to the seafront promenade so people can walk across the structure and enjoy clear views over the docks and water. Surface parking near the centre will disappear to give over more space to pedestrian areas and extend the promenade route without interruption.

Building renovations and access improvements

A new, much more accessible ramp will link street level to the viewing gallery through landscaped ground with a lift providing step-free entry to all levels. Main tasks cover renewal of the building envelope, replacement of external windows and doors, roof waterproofing and updates to electrical, air conditioning and drainage systems. Interior spaces will be reorganised for better use. The auditorium will receive a major upgrade with a new entrance, flexible systems and improved facilities for cultural and social events. Old changing rooms will be removed while fresh service modules are built in several dock areas. Light pergolas and sail-style covers will create shade and visual links across the buildings.

Wider upgrades and next steps

Board members also approved earlier projects to move electrical transformers in the Malapesquera area for €650,000, install new access control barriers for €75,000 and carry out containment works near the harbour entrance for €95,000 euros. These steps hope to improve electrical reliability, security and protection against storms. Planners want every resident and visitor to reach the new plaza and full port area without barriers. The changes should make the nautical centre a more open destination centred on strolling and sea views.

A British woman has died after falling around 500 metres while hiking in Spain’s Pyrenees mountains, in the latest tragedy to hit one of Europe’s most unforgiving mountain ranges. The 42-year-old, who was living in Finland, was descending one of the Pyrenees’ best-known peaks with her partner when the fatal accident occurred. Authorities are treating the incident as a tragic accident.

Fatal fall on Balaitús Peak

The accident happened on Saturday, May 30, on Balaitús Peak, a 3,144-metre mountain that sits on the border between Spain and France. The woman was hiking with her 53-year-old partner and was crossing an area known as the Great Diagonal, one of the most popular routes to the summit, when she reportedly slipped while descending. Investigators believe a snow-covered section of the route may have contributed to the fall despite otherwise favourable weather conditions.

Emergency services were alerted shortly after 7.20pm. Specialist mountain rescue teams from Spain’s Civil Guard, known as GRIEM, were deployed alongside a rescue helicopter. Sadly, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was later transported to Zaragoza for a post-mortem examination.

Her partner was physically unharmed but witnessed the fatal fall. Spanish authorities have opened an investigation, although officials have already described the incident as a “tragic accident resulting from a fall.”

One of the Pyrenees’ most iconic peaks

Balaitús is one of the highest granite mountains in the Pyrenees and marks the beginning of the High Pyrenees range. Rising above the Spanish Tena Valley and France’s Val d’Azun, it attracts experienced hikers, climbers and mountaineers from across Europe.

The mountain is renowned for its dramatic ridgelines, exposed sections and rapidly changing conditions. Even during late spring and early summer, snow can remain on higher routes, creating dangerous patches of ice and unstable footing. While the Great Diagonal is considered one of the more accessible approaches to the summit, it still requires experience and caution.

The Pyrenees themselves stretch for around 430 kilometres between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, forming a natural border between Spain and France. The range is home to some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery, including glaciers, deep valleys and towering peaks, but it is also known for challenging terrain and unpredictable mountain weather.

Not the first tragedy in the region

The latest death is one of several fatal accidents involving hikers in Spain’s mountain regions in recent years.
Just last month, a 61-year-old British hiker was found dead after disappearing in the Picos de Europa mountains in northern Spain. Rescue teams had launched a search after he contacted emergency services saying he was lost and exhausted. His body was discovered two days later.

In 2024, another British hiker, aged 70, was found dead in the Pyrenees after going missing for four days while trekking between mountain refuges near the Aspe peak. The search involved Spanish and French rescue teams.

Perhaps the most widely reported Pyrenees case was that of British adventurer Esther Dingley. The experienced hiker disappeared while walking alone near the Spain-France border in 2020. Her remains were eventually discovered months later, and investigators concluded she had accidentally fallen while crossing steep terrain.

The Pyrenees have also seen fatalities involving climbers and solo hikers from other countries, including the discovery of an American hiker who died after a fall in the Monte Perdido area in 2025.

Busy period for mountain rescuers

The incident comes during a particularly busy period for mountain rescue teams in northern Spain. According to reports, GRIEM carried out nine separate rescue operations in the days leading up to the accident. These ranged from injured climbers to stranded hikers requiring evacuation from remote terrain.

As summer approaches and visitor numbers increase across Spain’s mountain regions, rescue services continue to urge hikers to check weather conditions, carry appropriate equipment and avoid underestimating the risks posed by lingering snow and difficult terrain.

For one British family, however, a hiking trip in one of Europe’s most beautiful mountain landscapes has ended in tragedy.