A heroic 18-year-old British tourist is fighting for his life in hospital after being brutally stabbed while chasing down a mugger in the popular holiday resort of Playa de las Americas on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
Violent Attack in Early Hours
The terrifying incident occurred in the early hours of this morning, around 2:15am, on Rafael Puig Lluvina Avenue in the bustling Las Veronicas area. According to emergency services, the young man was pursuing a thief who had violently robbed a British female friend of her mobile phone when he was attacked near a bar called Oasis.
Critical Condition in Hospital
Emergency medical responders have confirmed the tourist was in a "serious" condition, with local reports describing his state as "critical." After being stabilised at the scene by paramedics, he was transferred to the Universitario Hospiten Sur Hospital where he is believed to have been admitted to an intensive care unit.
A spokesman for the regional government-run emergency response coordination centre stated: "An 18-year-old man has been seriously injured after being stabbed in Rafael Puig Lluvina Avenue in Playa de las Americas. The victim was transferred to hospital after being stabilised at the scene."
Police Investigation Underway
No arrests have yet been made in connection with the stabbing, but police have assigned a specialist team to identify and detain the knifeman. The area where the attack took place is known to be a favourite destination for British holidaymakers, adding to concerns about tourist safety.
Island newspaper El Dia reported that the unnamed holidaymaker had been chasing a man who "violently robbed" his friend's phone when he was attacked. The incident has sent shockwaves through the British expatriate and tourist community in Tenerife.
Tourist Safety Concerns
This violent attack raises significant questions about security in popular tourist areas of Tenerife, particularly in the Las Veronicas zone which is known for its nightlife. The stabbing represents one of the most serious incidents involving British tourists on the island in recent memory.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward as they continue their investigation into this disturbing crime that has left a young British man fighting for survival far from home.
