Party in Playa del Inglés evacuated: 35 minors and alleged safety failings
In the early hours, at around 02:30 on a Saturday-to-Sunday night, the Policía Local (local police) of San Bartolomé de Tirajana ended a party at a venue in Playa del Inglés, in the south of Gran Canaria. The venue sits opposite the Anexo II shopping centre and had been rented by the company Desarrollos Ocican S.L. The events were reported by La Provincia (24 August 2026) and Canarias7 (23 August 2026).
Photo: MarshyBoardwalk, CC0 (Symbolbild).
According to the police, officers filed several sanction records ("varias actas de sanción") over alleged safety deficiencies; the exact number of records was not made public. During the check, 35 minors were identified. The organising company denies the accusations.
What happened that night
An anonymous call had warned the authorities that there could be minors inside the venue. According to the reports, the Policía Local and the Policía Nacional (national police) attended. At around 02:30 the event was checked, the venue was evacuated and the party was brought to an end.
The venue is located opposite the Anexo II shopping centre in Playa del Inglés. It had been rented by the firm Desarrollos Ocican S.L., according to the newspapers. The exact calendar date of the party was not published; the reports refer to a Saturday-to-Sunday night.
The alleged safety deficiencies
According to the Policía Local, the event is said to have exceeded the maximum permitted capacity (aforo). In addition, the emergency exits were reportedly "taponadas" – that is, blocked. The councillor for Security, José Carlos Álamo, stated that, as a result, "no evacuation system was guaranteed".
Álamo added that the defects identified could potentially constitute criminal offences ("podrían ser constitutivos de delitos"). Whether that is in fact the case has not been determined; it is an assessment made within the ongoing procedure.
35 minors and access to alcohol
During the check, officers identified 35 minors who, according to the reports, could have had access to alcoholic drinks. Out of consideration for those involved, no names or further details about the young people are given.
The venue was evacuated. Beyond the published information, there is no confirmed detail about supervision, age checks at the door or any consequences for those involved.
A sanctioning procedure – and the company's denial
The Policía Local filed several sanction records. This is an administrative sanctioning procedure, not a criminal conviction. The exact number of records was not made public.
The organising company, Desarrollos Ocican S.L., denies both accusations, according to the reports: both the excess capacity and the blocked emergency exits. Until the matter is finally resolved, the presumption of innocence applies.
Why venue safety matters
Rules on maximum capacity and clear emergency exits exist to protect guests. They are meant to ensure that a space can be left quickly and in an orderly way in an emergency – for example a fire or a crush. Blocked exits and overcrowding are among the factors that can make an evacuation harder.
The case shows why local authorities check such rules. Beyond this individual episode, it falls to the competent bodies to examine the accusations and to conclude the procedure under the rule of law.
On entering, locate the escape routes and avoid visibly overcrowded rooms or blocked exits.
The organising company denies the accusations (excess capacity and blocked emergency exits); the presumption of innocence applies.
Key facts
- Location: a venue in Playa del Inglés (San Bartolomé de Tirajana), south of Gran Canaria, opposite the Anexo II shopping centre
- Timing: a Saturday-to-Sunday night, around 02:30; exact date not published (La Provincia 24 Aug 2026, Canarias7 23 Aug 2026)
- Alleged deficiencies: capacity (aforo) exceeded and emergency exits blocked; per councillor José Carlos Álamo, "no evacuation system was guaranteed"
- 35 minors identified who could have had access to alcohol; venue evacuated, party ended
- Several sanction records ("varias actas de sanción"); exact number not published; administrative procedure
- Rented by Desarrollos Ocican S.L.; the company denies both accusations
FAQ
- What happened in Playa del Inglés?
- The Policía Local of San Bartolomé de Tirajana ended a party at a venue opposite the Anexo II at around 02:30 and filed several sanction records over alleged safety deficiencies.
- What deficiencies are alleged?
- According to the police, the maximum permitted capacity was exceeded and the emergency exits were blocked. Councillor José Carlos Álamo said no evacuation system was guaranteed.
- How many minors were involved?
- Officers identified 35 minors who, according to the reports, could have had access to alcoholic drinks. No names or details are given.
- What does the company say?
- The organising company, Desarrollos Ocican S.L., denies both accusations – the excess capacity and the blocked exits. The presumption of innocence applies.
- Has anything been legally decided?
- No. This is an administrative sanctioning procedure, not a conviction. The exact number of records and the exact date of the party were not published.
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