23 June 2024 , 09:32
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A focal point in the search for Jay Slater has been an Airbnb where he stayed which has three striking elements as rescue teams try and locate him.
The secluded Airbnb let named Casa Abuela Tina is located just outside the village of Masca, north west Tenerife, where Jay was last known to stay before his disappearance. The 19-year-old, missing since Monday morning, had gone there with two men he was with at a music festival.
The owner of the accommodation was the last person confirmed to have seen him as he walked away after enquiring what time the next bus leaves so he could head back to the south of the island. He later contacted his friend Lucy Law, who he was on holiday with, to say that he was attempting to walk back which was a trek of about 10 hours and his phone battery was about to die.
A massive search operation was initiated with rescue teams scouring the vast, treacherous terrain with mountains and ravines while equally challenging is the extreme weather conditions. Drones, dogs and helicopters have all been used but now into the seventh day of the search there is no signs of the 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire.
Here are three notable factors about the Airbnb accommodation:
Lucas Perez pays part of own transfer fee to rejoin beloved Deportivo
The Airbnb is in the village of Masca (Facebook)
Jay was last seen walking off after leaving the Airbnb (Facebook)Remote location
The holiday cottage, nestled halfway up a mountain just outside of Masca, is about an hour's drive from the popular resort of Los Cristianos - where Jay and his mates had booked an apartment. Reaching the place by car is no easy feat. With only one road leading in and out, hugging a steep cliff with hair-raisingly tight corners, it seemed that only a handful of tourists ventured off the beaten path to visit the village, most of whom were on pre-booked tours.
There are only two restaurants within a reasonable walking distance, and a single bus stop with services running between every 60 and 90 minutes, but only to Santiago del Teide and Lomo de Masca. For those on foot, there are few footpaths or signed routes in the surrounding area, and taxi rides to and from the rental from other popular destinations would be prohibitively expensive. It truly feels like it's in the middle of nowhere.
The village of Masca is in a remote area of Tenerife (Stan Kujawa)Challenging terrain
Navigating the area is incredibly difficult if you are unfamiliar with the area, especially on foot; the very steep, narrow and winding roads are frequented by cars not looking to stop or slow down. A 15-minute downhill journey will get you into Masca, but venturing any further would realistically require some form of road transport; whether that be via car, taxi or bus.
Jay is said to have left the rental and trekked uphill, heading further north of Tenerife. The next significant village one would encounter is Las Portelas, a journey that takes approximately two hours on foot, involving mountain hikes and navigating challenging roads and paths.
Limited accommodation
The rental isn't situated in a bustling resort filled with hotels, apartments, shops and eateries. Instead, it's discreetly tucked away by the side of a road - so inconspicuous you could easily miss it. With stunning views of the surrounding landscape, the accommodation would be perfect for families or those who have rented a car and are familiar with navigating the island. There are only three other hotels within a 7-kilometre radius of Masca, the area currently being combed in the search for the missing Jay, all of which are nestled within the mountainous terrain.