AUGC Demands Investigation Into Death of Officer During Tenerife Cruise Ship Operation
The Unified Association of Civil Guards has demanded an investigation into the death of an officer in Tenerife, questioning whether operational negligence and excessive work hours contributed to his fatal heart attack during a security mission.
The Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) has formally requested a thorough and transparent investigation into the death of a 63-year-old officer in Tenerife last Sunday. The officer suffered a fatal heart attack while providing security and evacuation support at the port of Granadilla, where the cruise ship MV Hondius had docked following a hantavirus outbreak.
The AUGC is questioning the administrative and operational decisions behind the officer's assignment. The officer was in reserve status and working outside his usual specialty at the Tenerife Command Headquarters. The association argues that his status should have exempted him from high-intensity physical labor, a restriction they believe was ignored when he was placed in an advanced position. The investigation aims to determine if the chain of command violated safety protocols by assigning him tasks—such as transporting materials—that exceeded his required duties and physical capabilities.
The officer’s shift lasted over 14 hours, beginning at 6:00 a.m. and ending with his death at 9:40 p.m. Beyond the physical strain, the AUGC is concerned about his potential exposure to contaminated materials and is calling for a full review of how the operation was planned.
This incident has sparked a broader debate regarding how human resources are managed during health crises. The AUGC points out that the ship’s arrival was known in advance, allowing ample time for proper safety planning. The association also criticized the management of rest periods for other officers, such as those in the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC), noting that they are being subjected to grueling work hours that violate labor welfare standards.
The AUGC is now pushing to determine whether the chain of command followed the health and safety regulations outlined in Royal Decree 179/2005, or if negligence in risk management led to the death of an officer who should have been protected by his administrative status.