Costa Blanca

Torrevieja port is rendered inoperable due to vandalism at the lighthouse

The eastern lighthouse at the Port of Torrevieja has been inoperable for several days. The green starboard light, which serves as a warning for the vessel’s entrance, has been inoperative since last weekend. The lighthouse’s outage is the result of sabotage that has affected several of its components, according to sources from the Department of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory of the Generalitat Valenciana, which is responsible for the management of the Torrevieja port.

The same sources have not, however, specified the duration of the outage for this critical maritime signalling system, despite their assertion that efforts are being made to restore it to operational status as soon as feasible.

Sources say one of the purse seine fishing boats that is employed by a wholesale company in San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia) and lands its cargo at the Torrevieja fish market was involved in an accident that resulted in significant damage to its bow. The crew of the boat, which is currently undergoing repairs at the Marina Salinas marina, attributes this incident to the absence of said lighting at the port entrance.

According to other frequent port users, the lighthouse’s green light has been malfunctioning for an extended period. Recently, the lighthouse, which is also referred to as the starboard lighthouse of the Port of Torrevieja, has been subjected to continuous maintenance.

Access is exceedingly restricted

Currently, it is exceedingly challenging for the lighthouse to endure an incident of vandalism. Since November of last year, the entire Levante breakwater, which spans approximately 1,200 linear metres, has been under reconstruction. This renovation is a component of the project to renovate the cantilevered promenade, which extends to the lighthouse tower at the end of the Levante breakwater. The perimeter of the area is enclosed by a fence, and private security personnel are stationed at the facilities to prevent the entry of anglers and pedestrians, who frequently utilise this area for recreational purposes.

Additionally, the construction work has completely dismantled the upper section of the wooden planks that served as the promenade’s foundation. Consequently, accessing the lighthouse is exceedingly challenging unless one proceeds from the stone and concrete blocks to the exterior of the breakwater.

The dimly illuminated lighthouse and the final section of the lighting system that stretches for over 1,400 linear metres and outlines the breakwater itself are both depicted in the images of the dark Levante breakwater that have been released.

The services that supply electricity to the entire port area are also being impacted by the work that has begun to convert the fairgrounds to accommodate the amusement park in the port area.

Communication

The Poniente and Levante lighthouses of Torrevieja are indispensable for guaranteeing the safety of vessels during navigation. Nevertheless, the artisanal fleet’s equipment enables them to navigate without adhering to the lighthouses to identify the port entrance. Numerous other illuminated reference points are now available.

Fishing vessels do not exclusively use lighthouses. The Real Club Náutico, Marina Internacional, and Marina Salinas are the three marinas in Torrevieja, which are home to over 2,000 recreational vessels and yachts. The bay’s mouth is constantly in motion, with boats entering and exiting the area. In addition, dozens of recreational vessels are available for rent, many of which do not require a skipper’s licence. We frequently observe jet skiers and users of various water sports, including paddle surfing. Merchant salt is additionally delivered at the Sal-Poniente dock.

The Generalitat (Catalan Government) oversees approximately thirty port facilities in the Valencian Community. Torrevieja, in conjunction with Dénia, is the most significant of the terminals under its jurisdiction.

The Torrevieja Fishermen’s Association, which is currently awaiting confirmation of its concession from the Generalitat (Catalan Government) and provides unloading services and auctions to the Murcia and Almería purse seine fleet, has not offered any commentary regarding this shortage. Torrevieja fishermen operate exclusively small-scale fishing vessels. The local purser fleet has vanished entirely.

For more than a decade, the port of Torrevieja has been without a maritime captain, a civil servant position that is predominantly responsible for the supervision of traffic safety in maritime waters.

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Related Topics:Boat Boats Community Construction Environment Green Licence Local Market Murcia Torrevieja Traffic Vandalism

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Costa Blanca

Torrevieja May Fair 2025 will be located in Antonio Soria Park and will have 15 booths

The Torrevieja May Fair 2025 is scheduled to take place from May 15th to 18th at the Antonio Soria Park grounds. The event will feature 15 booths, a large stage, and stalls that can accommodate 600 people. Additionally, there will be children’s shows, dance academy exhibitions, a large rociero parade, and the eagerly anticipated rociero mass on Sunday, which will conclude the fair.

This renowned event, which showcases Andalusian folklore, music, and gastronomy, has been designated a Provincial Tourist Interest and is now firmly established as one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the local festival calendar. Residents and visitors to Torrevieja can participate in a comprehensive program of musical performances, family-friendly activities, equestrian displays, and a fairground atmosphere in the booths that have been erected throughout the grounds for a period of four days.

FAIR PROGRAMMING 2025

Thursday 15th
21:00 Opening ceremony of the May Fair 2025, with a performance of the Torrevieja national anthem by the UMT band. Fireworks will follow. –
21:30 Performance by the QK Dance Academy .
22:30 Performance by the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood Choir.

Friday 16th
21:00 Performance by the Arantxa Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Torrevieja Municipal Dance School
23:00 Performance by Aire de Lo Ferro

Saturday 17th
Noon Celebration of the traditional Misa Rociera (Rociera Mass) in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, sung by the choir of the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood. Afterward, a parade of horsemen and carriages will take place to the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Itinerary: Depart from the Church of the Immaculate Conception and walk up Bazán Street, Delfina Viudes Street until reaching the fairgrounds in Antonio Soria Park.
Once there, the traditional horse parade will begin.
21:00 Performance by the Soul Dance Studio Dance Academy
22:00 Performance by the Paya’s Dance School.
23:00 Performance by the group Siempre Así.

Sunday 18th
12:30 – 17:00 Horse-drawn carriage ride around the fairgrounds
20:30 Performance by the Mery Dance Academy
21:30 Performance by the Brisa del Sur Choir
22:00 Salve and closing ceremony of the 2025 Sevillanas fair sung by the choirs Brisa del Sur, Alba Rociera, and the Virgen del Rocío Brotherhood.

Full programme and schedule at: www.torrevieja.es

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Costa Blanca

Drunk driver caught in Santa Pola with a new license and no lights at night

At the weekend, the Santa Pola Local Police apprehended a driver who had recently obtained a licence and was in violation of numerous regulations.

In this coastal town in Alicante, the police stopped him for exceeding the alcohol limit and using the cycle lane, despite his limited driving experience of only two months.

According to the police force, the incident occurred at night and without headlights, which exacerbated the situation.

The traffic safety regulations have been implemented for all of the aforementioned reasons, as the Local Police have stated on their social media accounts that the risk posed by the absence of lights is not limited to the car.

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Costa Blanca

16 years for sexual assault of his ex-partner in Benidorm

Yesterday, Monday May 5th, a man who is accused of repeatedly violating the restraining order that barred him from approaching his ex-partner in Benidorm and for sexual assault, appeared in court at the Alicante Provincial Court. The request for 16 years in prison for sexual assault and violation of a precautionary measure has been upheld by the Prosecutor’s Office. The man’s pretrial detention is not caused by the request for 16 years in prison; instead, it is a result of his repeated violations of the restraining order.

Despite being aware that he was subject to a restraining order against his ex-partner, the defendant arrived at her residence in the resort city on July 2nd, 2023, with the intention of proposing sexual intercourse. The defendant sexually assaulted the victim after she refused, as stated in the indictment. On July 19th, 2023, he returned to the residence and repeatedly rang the doorbell.

The defendant defended his right to respond exclusively to the queries posed by his defence. The investigation didn’t even take into account whether or not there was consenting sexual activity. However, he denied any wrongdoing and solely maintained that his ex-partner desired to get revenge when filing the complaint.

The victim’s testimony was the primary piece of evidence at trial, and she reaffirmed it in her complaint in every detail. She claimed that the man arrived at her residence despite being aware that he was unable to approach her and proceeded to sexually violate her upon his arrival. It transpired that there had been prior violations of the restraining order. In fact, he returned to the residence a few days later and began to ring the doorbell. The Prosecutor’s Office maintained the sentences it requested at the conclusion of the trial, thereby supporting all of these points.

The reason for the preventive detention in this case was not the sexual assault itself, which is still pending sentencing, but rather the repeated violations of the restraining order issued by the Court for Violence against Women. The measure is intended to prevent the victim from encountering additional risk situations, as the accused, despite having been judicially warned, returned to his ex-partner’s residence on numerous occasions, disregarding the explicit prohibition of approaching. The judge interpreted this persistent behaviour as a clear indication of a high risk of repeat offences and that the accused does not respect the judicial measures. Consequently, they justified his imprisonment as a means of ensuring the safety of the complainant and the seamless operation of the process.