Guilty tourist returns ‘cursed’ volcanic stones stolen from Spanish beauty spot with

A guilty tourist has returned ‘cursed’ volcanic stones he stole from a Spanish beauty spot after claiming to suffer a serious personal tragedy.

The holidaymaker took the souvenirs from the Timanfaya National Park- a protected area in Lanzarote – several years ago.  

But in the time since, he claims he has suffered so many misfortunes that he returned the stones to the Canary island authorities.

In a handwritten letter sent to the National Park and recently released by the institution, he explained that, after suffering ‘a serious personal tragedy,’ he felt obliged to return the volcanic stones.

‘I have heard of legends where the removal of volcanic rock from its source of origin brings bad luck and I fear this has befallen me,’ he wrote.

‘After a major personal tragedy I feel compelled to return this few grams of rock to Fine Mountain.

‘I would be eternally grateful if you scatter them outside the visitor centre where I picked them up, at the ‘hot coals’ spot’.  

‘That rock is meaningless in your display case, it’s not a souvenir or raw material for a pendant. It belongs to nature. It sustains the life and culture of our island. Stealing nature is stealing the future,’ said a National Park spokeswoman.

In a handwritten letter sent to the National Park and recently released by the institution, the tourist explained that, after suffering ‘a serious personal tragedy,’ he felt obliged to return the volcanic stones

The holidaymaker took the souvenirs from the Timanfaya National Park- a protected area in Lanzarote

From the social networks of the Timanfaya National Park, it was recalled that extracting natural elements from the protected area can lead to fines of up to 3,000 euros. 

In addition, they warned that in recent years, numerous stones and sand transported in tourist luggage have been confiscated at the César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport.

Taking volcanic rocks or sand from the natural landscapes of the Canary Islands can be very expensive. 

In protected areas, such as the Timanfaya National Park or Mount Teide, the penalty can be even higher if it is considered a serious infraction.

Every year, kilos of rock and sand are seized at the airports of the archipelago that tourists try to take out as a ‘souvenir’. 

Experts insist that removing natural elements alters unique ecosystems and puts at risk the biodiversity that makes the islands a unique environment.

The tourist has asked the National Park to return the stones by scattering them around their original environment. 

It comes three months after a Brit returned Pompeii relics that were stolen by his ‘Uncle Bob’ over 50 years ago.

Nephew Paul shipped five chunks of plaster from the walls of the ancient site back to the Pompeii Archaeological Park in July alongside an apology note and explanation.

Inside the wooden box containing the artefacts, a note read: ‘These stones were taken from the site at Pompeii. Illegally by Uncle Bob’.

Paul had wrapped the box in bubble wrap to ensure the safety of the stones on their journey from Bolton to Naples after they had been stored in the attic of his uncle’s Manchester home for over five decades. 

In images shared by the Pompeii Archaeological Site’s Facebook page last week, another note can be seen left by Paul with the backstory of how Uncle Bob came to be in possession of the stones.

The second note read: ‘Hi, I spoke to Sophie Hay about finding pieces of rock found in my great uncle Bob’ attic, with a note stating he had stole them from Pompeii in the 70s. As promised, we have returned them back to you. Regards, Paul’.