Young man reported over alleged laser incidents involving pilots in Fuerteventura
Puerto del Rosario police located a young man at Los Pozos after aircraft pilots and an emergency helicopter pilot were reportedly dazzled by a laser.
Local Police in Puerto del Rosario have reported a young man for an alleged very serious public safety offence after pilots of commercial aircraft and an emergency helicopter were reportedly dazzled by a laser over the capital.
The incidents took place at around 7pm on Wednesday 4 November, as commercial aircraft were taking off and climbing over Puerto del Rosario. Fuerteventura Airport’s control tower alerted police after several pilots experienced dazzling from beams consistent with laser pointers. The pilot of the emergency helicopter based on the island was also reportedly affected.
Police said officers used coordinates supplied by the control tower to search the Los Pozos area and beach. They found the suspected person on the Los Pozos breakwater. After being identified, the young man admitted what had happened, police said. Officers seized a laser pointer and took it into police custody.
Possible penalty
Police filed a complaint over an alleged very serious infringement of Spain’s public security law. The relevant provision covers shining beams of light at pilots or drivers when they could be dazzled, distracted or involved in an accident. Police said the infringement can carry a fine of between €30,001 and €220,000.
The matter was also referred to the Guardia Civil command in Puerto del Rosario and Spain’s aviation safety agency, AESA. Local Police warned that misuse of laser pointers can dazzle pilots and cause temporary loss of vision, putting aviation safety at risk.