A British national has died while paragliding in southern Spain, the Foreign Office has confirmed, prompting a renewed warning about the risks of adventure sports abroad. The incident occurred near the town of Algodonales in the province of Cádiz, a popular destination for paragliding enthusiasts due to its favourable wind conditions and mountainous terrain.
Spanish emergency services were alerted on Monday afternoon after the man, aged in his 40s, failed to land safely. Rescue teams recovered his body from a ravine. Local authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the accident, though early reports suggest a sudden change in wind direction may have been a factor.
The Foreign Office issued a statement expressing condolences to the family and reiterating its travel advice for those undertaking high-risk activities overseas. “We advise all British nationals to ensure they have appropriate insurance and to check the safety credentials of any tour operators before participating in adventure sports,” a spokesperson said.
Algodonales has become a hub for paragliding, attracting thousands of enthusiasts each year. However, fatalities are not unheard of. In 2019, a German paraglider died in the same area after a mid-air collision. Local flight schools have defended their safety record, noting that the sport carries inherent risks.
The death is the latest in a series of incidents involving British tourists engaging in extreme sports abroad. Last month, a British woman died while bungee jumping in Zambia, and in July, a teenager was killed in a quad bike accident in Greece. The Foreign Office has faced criticism from some quarters for not doing more to warn holidaymakers of the dangers.
A Foreign Office source stressed that travel advice is regularly updated but cannot cover every eventuality. “We provide general guidance on adventure activities, but individuals must take responsibility for their own safety,” the source said.
The British Embassy in Madrid is providing consular assistance to the man’s family. No further details have been released pending formal identification.
