Canary Islands protest horror as two sunbathing tourists are surrounded by locals | World | News

“Hundreds” of protesters stormed a beach in Tenerife, surrounding shocked sunseekers, as mass tourist demonstrations broke out across Spain, according to reports.

Residents deviated from the expected route to march along Troya Beach, a popular beach in the south of the island.

The footage reportedly showed a couple, of unknown nationality, stranded in their beach towel and swimwear as protesters walked past waving banners.

Other tourists were seen abandoning the area as the beach became overwhelmed by angry residents protesting what they see as the impact of tourism on the rising cost of accommodation.

No violence was reported at the demonstration, where activists carried banners with slogans such as “Go home, tourist.”

However, those involved in the march were reportedly insulted and ridiculed.

Oliver Alayon, a hotel worker in Tenerife, said seeing the beach incident and footage of the couple surrounded by protesters makes her “feel ashamed”.

“It’s not the fault of the tourists who come here on vacation,” she said, “it’s the fault of those who wear suits and ties.”

Carlos Diaz said: “The destiny of canaries is to destroy everything that puts food on their plate. I hope the protesters have a plan.”

Another wrote: “Tourismophobia and ignorance in its purest state.”

Still criticizing the protesters who decided to surround the bathers, Nara Gonzalez wrote: “We shouldn’t attack tourists. I’ve supported the movement for a long time, but I definitely don’t support that kind of thing.”

As protests drew to a close in the Canary Islands, government officials estimated that “at least” 8,000 people had participated.

The organizers of the demonstrations claim that the number was much higher, with more than 7,000 people taking part in Gran Canaria alone.

Simultaneous marches were held in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and El Hierro calling for a change in the tourist model.