Fisherman rescued by sea after getting trapped on dangerous Cartagena cliffs

Cartagena emergency services were successful in their rescue of a fisherman in his early 30s, trapped in a rocky area of Cabo Tiñoso. The man had suffered severe knee pain and was unable to leave on his own. First responders were alerted to the incident early on the morning of Sunday, July 5.

An early morning rescue at Cabo Tiñoso, Cartagena

The man, 31, who had been fishing, became trapped in an area behind Las Baterías de Castillitos, a military fortress in the rural Cartagena district of Perin, after suffering a knee injury and being unable to return on his own. The call for the 061 emergency medical service was received at 4:13am, and first responders leapt into action to rescue the man.

Perilous terrain complicates sea evacuation

The man had become injured as he was trying to access the fishing area. The scene of the incident where the man was located, due to its characteristics, was difficult to reach, leading to the deployment of the Cartagena City Council Fire Department’s aquatic team, which subsequently carried out the rescue by sea.

The fisherman was safely evacuated and treated immediately by an awaiting medical team, who carried out an assessment of his injuries. Finally, the operation concluded at 6:45am, just over two and a half hours after the initial call.

Cabo Tiñoso, an idyllic spot for fishing, but a dangerous spot to be injured

Cabo Tiñoso, in the Cartagena municipality of the Costa Calida, is notorious for its steep and rocky cliffs and isolated coves, featuring sheer drops and jagged limestone formations that make foot access highly perilous, especially under the cover of darkness. This means that trapped fishermen and swimmers are a more common occurrence in these areas. 

In areas like these, it is imperative that hikers, swimmers, and other people enjoying the area know the essential safety tips to help stay alert and ready in the case of an emergency.

Essential safety tips for coastal anglers and hikers

There are a few things that fishermen and hikers in this area can do to avoid becoming trapped and injured like the fisherman from Cabo Tiñoso.

These include:

• Never fishing or hiking alone at night.
• Bringing enough water to avoid heat exhaustion.
• Studying the terrain beforehand.
• Tracking the tides and sea swell.
• Wearing high-traction, specialized footwear.
• Keeping your phone accessible and charged.
• Carrying a headlamp and signalling tools.
• Informing someone on land of your exact coordinates.

If you find yourself in an emergency in Spain, dialing 112 will connect you to all emergency services instantly. If you are stranded on a cliffside, stay exactly where you are. Attempting to move on a severe injury or in poor visibility drastically increases the risk of a secondary, more dangerous fall.