Tourist faces £168,000 fine after throwing huge rock at Spanish beauty spot

A tourist is facing a whooping £168,000 fine for throwing a massive rock down a gorge in a popular national park.

The young man who lobbed the heavy rock a point along the popular Cares Trail in northern Spain’s Picos de Europa National Park, which is visited by two million people every year. He was filmed carrying out his silly antics by friends who later posted the clip to social media.

In the video he is seen throwing the huge stone before a deafening bang is heard as it slams into the ground below. The clip was later shared by a social media account that features videos of young people throwing rocks into voids.

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Although most clips on the page get a handful of views, this one blew up and quickly caught the police’s attention. The Spanish Civil Guard have since announced that they are investigating the young man’s antics.

A Civil Guard spokesman said: “This stunt could cost you dearly. Throwing this rock could land this person with a fine ranging from €5,001 to €200,000.

“Why? Because disturbing the environment in the Picos de Europa National Park is classed as a very serious offence. Keep that in mind when visiting a national park - these are specially protected areas due to their high environmental value.”

People commenting on the video said: "There are livestock farmers who pass through down there. Your little joke could’ve ended badly.”

Another viewer said: “You have to be a real idiot - you could’ve gone down with the rock. The force and weight of that boulder could’ve smashed someone to pieces.”

A third added: “There’s an alternative path underneath - I just hope no one was down there. And let’s not forget, people go canyoning or climbing in those areas - when you throw something, there could be someone below.”

A fourth said: “He should be accompanied by a responsible adult - it’s clear he’s not ready to be out on his own.”