A 28-year-old Italian tourist died in a tandem paragliding accident in Tenerife, prompting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to issue updated travel guidance for the popular Spanish island.

Details of the Tragic Incident

Cristina Colturi from Milan suffered fatal injuries when she and her instructor crashed into rocky terrain near La Enramada beach in Costa Adeje. Emergency services rushed her to Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital in Santa Cruz on a Friday in March. She succumbed to her injuries two days later. The instructor remains under treatment at a local medical facility in the Canary Islands.

Cristina had booked the paragliding experience as a Christmas gift, eager to try the adventure sport during her holiday.

FCDO Travel Advisory

The FCDO warns that British nationals have died or sustained serious injuries in paragliding incidents. It urges travelers to “ensure you receive full instructions and training before your activity.”

Additional advice highlights risks near paragliding sites: “If you are near where paragliding activities take place, be aware that the landing area may be in a public area. Maintain a reasonable distance from potential landing zones for your personal safety.” The guidance emphasizes, “Paragliding is an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death.”

Aftermath and Investigation

Cristina’s family arranged her funeral in Tenerife, fulfilling her wishes. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the accident’s cause, as the Canary Islands community mourns the loss.

Tenerife draws millions of British visitors annually, with direct flights available from Birmingham Airport. The island shares the Canary archipelago with destinations like Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, alongside the Balearic Islands such as Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.