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ARCHIVED - No bonfires and a curfew: Benidorm enforces strict Night of San Juan beach rules
70 police officers will patrol Benidorm's coastline during the Night of San Juan celebrations June 23 to 24
Thousands of revellers are expected to hit Benidorm's beaches to celebrate the Night of San Juan (June 23/24), a hugely popular fiesta that traditionally marks the start of summer with bonfires and fireworks.
But this year - as has been the case for the last two years due to the Covid pandemic - Benidorm Town Council has taken the 'big bang' element out of the festivities and is enforcing a string of strict regulations including a curfew and a ban on bonfires and glass bottles.
And around 70 police officers will patrol Levante, Poniente, Mal Pas and Parque de Elche beaches to make sure the rules are being adhered to.
The measures, similar to those imposed in Elche, were agreed at an extraordinary meeting of the Town Hall last Friday, together with a cleaning and lifeguard rescue service which will be extended on Thursday night (June 23).
Justifying the restrictions, Benidorm Mayor, Toni Pérez, who chaired the meeting, said: "We are deploying a major surveillance operation and banning bonfires and glass on our beaches because we want citizens to enjoy the night of San Juan in comfort and with the maximum services possible.
"We also want to ensure that once this traditional celebration is over, in a matter of a few hours, our beaches will be in perfect condition, as always, to welcome the early risers".
To achieve this, a 2am curfew has been imposed.
"As well as reinforcing cleaning and rescue services, it is very important that we can count on the cooperation of the public that the beaches are free of people from 2am so that the mechanical cleaning services can carry out their work quickly and effectively," added Pérez
From 8pm on Thursday onwards, up to 16 staff will be carrying out manual cleaning work and handing out rubbish bags to groups of people on the beach. From 3am, cleaning will begin with sieving machines; one in Levante and the other in Poniente.
The lifeguard and rescue service will operate until 3am and there will be three ambulances with medical staff located on the beaches in Calle Bilbao, Paseo de Colón and Avenida Vicente Llorca Alós.
Levante beach will be manned by five lifeguards, the Poniente will have six and there will be one at Mal Pas.
"Levante and Parque de Elche accessible beaches will be open from 9pm to 2am so that people with mobility problems can also take part in the tradition of getting their feet wet on this magical night," said the mayor, adding that the public toilets and footbaths will remain open until 3am.
Images: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm
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