For a few years now, Mallorca has had an astonishing tradition of serious accidents, including several mortal cases, all involving young tourists and falls from hotel balconies from great heights. Hotel owners are quoted as saying ‘When the first tourist falls off a balcony, we know that summer has started’. Normally, these accidents are cases of youngsters climbing across balconies to get from one bedroom to another without bothering to use the proper corridors or elevators. Often, alcohol or other substances lead to the underestimation of heights or the overestimation of the tourist’s physical abilities.

Recently, an element of daredevil behaviour took these acrobatic shortcuts to a new level, and a new craze was born, taking place in resorts like Magalluf, Santa Ponça, Palmanova, Arenal and Alcúdia. Now, foolhardy holidaymakers risk their lives by taking part in a deadly stunt which involves jumping from hotel or apartment balconies into swimming pools. Jumps are done from as much as three, four, even six floors high, causing six fatalities so far this year in Mallorca, and over 30 serious injuries involving Intensive Care Units. Most of the victims tend to be British tourists between the ages of 18 and 25. Occasionally, young German or Spanish nationals are also making the headlines.

One aspect of the attractiveness of this dangerous pastime may be the instant gratification that the Internet offers when a stunt is successful. Many jumps are being video recorded and uploaded onto sites such as YouTube, similar to the one shown below.

Photo and video were borrowed from the Internet. Thanks are due to thesun.co.uk, YouTube and kraciboy87. Thank you very much.