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.

San Pedro del Pinatar’s patron saint festivities, in honour of Saint Peter the Apostle, came to a close recently with a massive traditional parade of floats, which was one of the most anticipated events on the festive programme. The parade brought together countless residents and visitors in the Costa Calida municipality for an afternoon full of colour, music, and lively fun.

Weeks of preparation pay off: San Pedro celebrates another shining summer

The spectacle was the result of weeks of work on the organisers’ part, and culminated in a huge celebration involving the locals and tourists of the town.

The procession began with the float “The Shameless Fig Tree,” featuring a mix of characters linked to classic paintings, followed by “Glamorous Stars,” adding colour to the parade with their adorable bee costumes. 

Beating the heat and sharing gifts in San Pedro del Pinatar

The Peña el Caldero group also helped the people of San Pedro del Pinatar to beat the heat, brandishing their water pistols and bringing an extra bit of joy to the occasion. Afterwards, local group I Love 90, distributed more than 13,000 gifts among the crowd, filling the atmosphere with happiness and laughter.

An appreciation of volunteers and a welcome boost for local tourism

Municipal officials expressed their gratitude to the dozens local associations, volunteers, and emergency services who made the event possible. The mayor, as well as local council members, noted that the massive turnout not only highlights the enduring strength of San Pedro’s cultural traditions, but also provides a significant economic boost to the town’s hospitality and tourism sectors at the start of the high summer season. Plans are reportedly already underway to make next year’s patron saint festivities even more spectacular.

All in all, the celebration was a confirmation of the neighbourly camaraderie, community spirit, and fun summer vibes in San Pedro del Pinatar, as the residents applaud another successful year.

Andrea’s Animal Rescue, an animal welfare charity based in the Mazarron area, has issued an urgent appeal to the local community as summer temperatures spike. The sanctuary is desperately seeking donations to purchase protective masks for their herd of rescued donkeys, who are currently suffering from severe seasonal irritation from abundant flies in the area.

Seasonal insect surge puts rescued herd at risk

As the summer heat intensifies across the Region of Murcia, the local insect population has skyrocketed, making life incredibly uncomfortable for the sanctuary’s four-legged friends. 

Beyond causing constant irritation and high levels of stress for the gentle animals at the shelter, the persistent insects also pose a medical risk; If left unprotected, the continuous swarming and biting can quickly lead to painful, serious infections that may require costly veterinary intervention. Since the charity runs solely on donations, the financial burden can be too large to care for their herd of 104 rescued donkeys.

How a small donation can help protect the animals

Andrea’s Animal Rescue is asking anyone who is able to help to consider making a small contribution to help them protect the animals. Local supporters can help by going in person to donate, volunteering, or donating through the charity’s website at andreasanimalrescue.com. There, site visitors can donate any amount they wish, from €1, to around €4 for a bale of hay, or they can sponsor a donkey for €10 a month.

Andrea’s Animal Rescue: A long history of caring for abandoned equines

The charity is a vital pillar for injured and abandoned animals. Beginning in August of 2008, Andrea’s Animal Rescue was founded primarily to care for abused donkeys. During that time, Henrietta, a female donkey who had several tumours, was rescued by the kindhearted volunteers at the charity. Henrietta was only the second donkey to arrive at the shelter, with another gentle animal, Lola, being the first.

Since then, the charity has grown into a thriving part of the community, with more than 100 donkeys and other animals under their care, being taken care of and treated properly by true animal lovers. The charity’s website is constantly giving updates on their latest rescues, the animals sponsored by donors, and information on upcoming drives, collections, and ways to help.

With a deep love for these equine friends, Andrea’s Animal Rescue has become an important part of the network of charities in Murcia, and with each passing day, continues to help these animals in need, one donkey at a time.