A German tourist who took volcanic rocks from Spain’s famed Timanfaya National Park in the Canary Islands says he was struck by misfortune after his theft—and has since begged for forgiveness.
According to People, the man mailed a handwritten apology to park officials, admitting he pocketed a few stones from the protected Montañas del Fuego (“Mountains of Fire”) area. Shortly afterward, he said he suffered a “major personal tragedy.” The tourist wrote that he had heard legends warning that removing volcanic rock from its birthplace brings bad luck, and he feared that curse had caught up with him. In his note, he pleaded with park staff to return the stones to the “hot coals” spot where he found them. A scanned copy of the letter was published by The Canarian Weekly.
Although the park received the letter years ago, officials recently shared it publicly as a reminder to visitors that taking any natural material from the park isn’t just superstitious—it’s against the law. Fines can reach up to $3,400 for removing rocks, sand, or other natural features. Park authorities say airport security often intercepts “a large volume of stones and sand” in tourists’ luggage.
Staff emphasized that every piece of the landscape plays a role in preserving the island’s fragile ecosystem. Even small rocks, they noted, can harbor rare insects or plants. Removing them can trigger a “dangerous domino effect” that damages wildlife and the environment.
“That rock is meaningless in your display case,” park officials said in a statement. “It belongs to nature. It sustains the life and culture of our island. Stealing nature is stealing the future.”
Timanfaya National Park’s experience isn’t unique—Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii also received mailed-back rocks from a regretful visitor in 2022.