On September 11, 1984, a wildfire at Roque de Agando, in La Gomera, claimed the lives of 20 people, most of whom were young locals and a group from Tenerife camping in the area.
On September 11, 1984, a wildfire in the area of Roque de Agando, on the Canary Island of La Gomera, took the lives of 20 people. Most of the victims were young people from the island and a group from Tenerife who were camping in the area, according to historical records.
A devastating fire in the dead of night
The fire broke out in the afternoon of September 11 and spread rapidly due to the weather conditions and the terrain's topography. The flames reached the makeshift campsite, catching the campers off guard while they slept.
Of the 20 fatalities, 18 were young people aged between 14 and 25, and two were adults. Most died from burns and smoke inhalation. The incident shocked the population of La Gomera and the rest of the Canary archipelago.
The context of wildfires in Spain
This fire is one of the most tragic in Spain's history. In 1979, a fire in Lloret de Mar (Girona) caused 21 deaths, and in 2005, the fire in Riba de Saelices (Guadalajara) left 11 dead, most of whom were members of firefighting crews.
The deadliest year for wildfires was 1994, with 30 fatalities. Spain is the second country in Europe with the largest forest area, making these disasters a recurring threat.
Lessons for the present
The tragedy of La Gomera led to improvements in fire prevention and extinguishing protocols in the Canaries. Today, awareness of the risks of camping in forested areas without permission is greater, and authorities emphasize the importance of respecting restrictions.
For the residents of La Gomera, this event remains an open wound. Every year, on September 11, memorial events are held in honour of the victims, and there is a strong emphasis on the need to take extra precautions to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
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