The Spanish resort town of Magaluf is a popular party destination for young British tourists. Photo / Getty Images
The Spanish resort town of Magaluf is a popular party destination for young British tourists. Photo / Getty Images
The mayor of Magaluf has called for new measures to tackle the balconing craze in the Spanish holiday spot, which is popular with young British tourists.
Alfonso Rodriguez Badal, the head of Calvia Council, said it must stop young people "coming here to die" as a result of the craze,which sees holidaymakers jump from balconies into swimming pools.
Mr Badal, whose council covers Magaluf and Palma Nova, explained how he continued to be shocked by the number of balconing tragedies, especially this summer.
And now he says new legislation must be brought in to try and stop tourists taking chances.
Mr Badal took the opportunity of opening fiesta celebrations in Calvia to address the thorny topic.
Spanish newspaper Diario de Mallorca says he is wants more "legislative initiatives" and felt alcohol and drugs continued to be at the heart of the problem.
He said: "We must not allow those who come to have fun with us to find death in this absurd way."
The mayor also called for Calvia's civil guard numbers to be increased and the end of "aggressive offers of alcohol".
The mayor of Magaluf felt alcohol and drugs continued to be at the heart of the problem. Photo / Getty Images
He continued: "These are basic actions to avoid excesses that, although reduced year after year, continue to appear in our municipality, which this year has also been shaken by an increase in young people who have died as a result of falling into voids."
Balconing has become so bad in some of the Spanish resorts that locals have put up signs mocking Brits for either jumping off balconies into pools or trying to get from one room to another.
Calvia Council has already made balconing an offence under its own 'co-existence' rules and has started to dish out fines.
Singlets aimed at British tourists for sale in Magaluf. Photo / Getty Images
Those caught recently include an 18-year-old Irish girl who was stung with a fine of between £500 and £1,300 (NZ$976 to $2538) for 'balconing' in Magaluf, despite being injured in the process.
Police says she jumped from one balcony to another but fell from the first floor into an interior courtyard.
