Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Simulated eruption to test Tenerife’s readiness
The streets of Guía de Isora will experience a simulated volcanic eruption on 22 October. Alerts will sound, homes and a care home for the elderly will be evacuated, and vulnerable residents and tourists will be relocated as part of the drill, which will also introduce unexpected complications to test responses in a real emergency.
Exercise brings together all key agencies
Dubbed VOLCANEX Tenerife 2026, the exercise will bring together government administrations, scientists, security forces, emergency services, and social and economic stakeholders. The simulation will take place in the Las Cumbres de Abeque area, which is considered to be at very high volcanic risk.
The operation will test the evacuation of residents, care for vulnerable people, accommodation for the displaced, the relocation of animals and tourists, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the continuity of essential services. In total, more than 1,200 people are expected to take part.
Realistic challenges and disinformation scenarios
In the hamlets of Chirche and Aripe, situations that could complicate a real emergency will be simulated, such as bedridden residents who do not appear on initial census lists, or neighbours who refuse to leave their homes. The evacuation of a care home for the elderly and the care and accommodation of displaced people will also be rehearsed.
The exercise will incorporate drones and the ES-Alert mobile phone warning system, as well as a scenario involving hoaxes and disinformation to assess the communication response during a crisis.
Building on lessons from EU MODEX 2025
VOLCANEX builds on the work undertaken during the EU MODEX Tenerife 2025 exercise, held in Garachico, which identified shortcomings in mass evacuations, coordination between administrations, attention to tourists, accommodation, and communication.
The large territorial expanse of Guía de Isora, the dispersal of its population, the presence of settlements in mid-altitude zones and on the coast, together with high tourist activity, will add to the difficulty of the exercise. The aim is to identify weaknesses in the response plan before Tenerife has to face a real emergency.
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