In the early hours of Monday, 15th September, at 00:49 hours, members of the Lanzarote Security and Emergency Consortium intervened in a residence on Sancocho Street, San Bartolomé, following an alert from CECOES.
Neighbours had reported that a resident, a 73-year-old German man, had not responded to calls or been seen in the area for several days. Given the circumstances, the firefighters forced open the door of an adjoining garage to gain access to the property.
Inside, they encountered a challenging scene: the tenant was suffering from Diogenes syndrome, hoarding a significant amount of rubbish and old belongings that obstructed access to the home. After clearing some of the accumulated items, they confirmed that the man had passed away, with his body buried among the waste.
Local Police and Judicial Police officers arrived at the scene, along with funeral services, with whom the firefighters assisted in the extraction of the body. Upon conclusion of the operation, the service closure was communicated to CECOES and the Fire Central.
The incident has caused great distress in the neighbourhood, where the man was known for his reserved nature. Emergency services remind the public of the importance of maintaining contact with neighbours and elderly individuals who may be in situations of loneliness and vulnerability.
