Tourist faces £168,000 fine for throwing huge rock into gorge

A tourist could be fined up to €200,000 (£168,000) for throwing a large rock down a gorge in a popular hiking area.

The young man, who has not been named, was filmed lifting a rock larger than his head up to shoulder-height before lobbing it off a moutainside path in Spain’s Picos de Europa national park.

A loud crash was heard as it struck the ground seconds later.

The video was shared on social media, where users tore into the man for putting other people in danger.

Some claiming to have knowledge of the area said there is an ‘alternative path’ below the trail and that the bottom of the gorge is used by farmers.

The man’s nationality is not clear, although he and the person filming the video could be heard speaking Spanish.

Spain’s Guardia Civil police force said it is investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the force 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.’

Around 300,000 people hike the Cares Trail, where the incident was filmed, ever year, while the wider park received around 2 million annual visitors.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.