Man Arrested at Tenerife Airport Trying to Board Flight with Deceased Wife in Wheelchair
A shocking incident occurred at Tenerife South Airport in Spain's Canary Islands. An 80-year-old man attempted to board a flight with his wife's body seated in a wheelchair. Airport staff initially believed the couple was traveling together normally.
Security Guard Discovers the Truth
Concerns only arose after the couple passed through routine security checks. A security guard noticed the woman was completely unresponsive. Upon closer inspection, the guard realized she was not breathing and had an abnormally low body temperature.
An airport employee told local media that when the guard took the woman's hand, she immediately sensed something was wrong. Supervisors were alerted within minutes. Emergency protocols were activated immediately.
Security staff, Civil Guard officers, and forensic teams rushed to the boarding area. The man was arrested at the scene. He reportedly cooperated fully with investigators during questioning.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
The husband told authorities his wife had died "a few hours prior" inside the airport terminal. However, investigators are examining conflicting accounts from witnesses.
Some witnesses claimed the man attempted to attribute her death to the airport facilities themselves. Officials confirmed the investigation remains open. They are focusing on the cause of death and potential criminal liability.
Authorities are examining whether any laws were broken. This includes potential offences related to transporting a body or failing to report a death. The nationality of the couple and their intended destination have not yet been confirmed.
Second Disturbing Airport Incident in Weeks
The Tenerife case has drawn particular attention because it follows another unsettling incident at Malaga Airport only weeks earlier. In that case, passengers on an easyJet flight bound for Gatwick Airport discovered they had boarded alongside the body of an 89-year-old British woman.
Witnesses said the woman was wheeled through Málaga Airport and onto the plane by five relatives. The group allegedly told airline staff that she was unwell and had fallen asleep. A boarding clerk raised concerns about her condition, but the group insisted she was "just tired."
One person reportedly added: "It's OK, we're doctors." The woman was seated on the aircraft before cabin crew realized she showed no vital signs. This happened shortly before take-off.
The plane was forced to return to the stand before leaving the runway. The flight was delayed by around 12 hours. EasyJet later said the passenger had held a medical certificate allowing her to fly. The airline stated she died on board the aircraft.
Raising Troubling Questions
While the circumstances of the Málaga case differ from those in Tenerife, both incidents have raised serious questions. Authorities are examining how deaths are identified and handled in busy international airports.
Questions also arise about the limits of responsibility placed on families, airlines, and airport authorities when passengers are seriously ill. The incidents highlight potential gaps in security and medical screening procedures.
Investigation Continues in Tenerife
Authorities in Tenerife have stressed that the current case is still being examined. No conclusions have yet been drawn. Investigators are working to establish precisely when and how the woman died.
They are also determining whether any laws were broken before her husband attempted to take her through security as if she were still alive. The case continues to develop as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.
