Date Published: 21/06/2024
Twisted social media page mocks tourist balcony deaths in Spain
The group, based in the Balearic Islands, keeps score of how many holidaymakers plummet to their death
A chilling online group, the Federació Balear de Balconing, or Balearic Balconing Federation in English, has been set up which openly mocks tourists who have died or been seriously injured after falling from balconies in Spain.
The social media page, which writes about these tragic incidents with a truly morbid sense of humour, has understandably sparked outrage in the UK and elsewhere.
The group presents a distasteful ‘Balcony League’ score chart, ranking countries by the number of deaths and injuries associated with balcony incidents. The UK currently tops the macabre list, followed by Germany, Spain, Italy and France. Ireland, with three reported deaths and seven injuries since 1999, holds the sixth position.
The group, self-described as “Darwinistically tourist-phobic”, uses football terms like “hat-trick” to mock the deceased, showing a shocking lack of empathy for the victims and their families. Their focus is on the Balearic Islands, a hotspot for the dangerous fad known as “balconing”, which involves individuals jumping into swimming pools from balconies or climbing between balconies.
The trend of balconing has become a growing concern in popular tourist destinations, with a staggering 42 UK tourist deaths reported on the Balearic Islands alone due to balcony-related incidents.
While their intentions seem anything but honourable, the Balearic Balconing Federation’s social media page does serve to shine a light on this sometimes-overlooked issue, revealing the dark side of tourism and the potential dangers that lurk behind the sunny facades of holiday destinations.
As the group’s page gains attention, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks tourists face and the need for heightened awareness and safety measures. While the group’s methods may be controversial, their message is clear: balcony-related accidents are a serious issue that deserves attention and preventative action.
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