Dozens of children from Latvia left stranded in Spain; some are already on their way home

RIGA - Dozens of children from Latvia traveling to a surfing camp in Portugal have been left stranded in Spain, in the meantime, several children are already on their way home, insurance company Balcia informed LETA.

The insurance company received four applications on Thursday from clients whose children had gone to a surfing camp in Portugal but were left stranded in Spain after the organizers of the trip abandoned the group. The insurer promptly organized transport to the airport and flights home for the children of the four clients.

According to Balcia, the Foreign Ministry and the Consumer Rights Protection Center were immediately informed of the situation, and the company offered its support in arranging a repatriation flight so that the other children remaining in Spain, who are not Balcia clients, could also return home as soon as possible.

The Consumer Rights Protection Center said that it would organize free repatriation of the travelers stranded in Spain.

According to the Consumer Rights Protection Center's spokesperson Sanita Gertmane, company Fisom, which organized the children's trip to a surfing camp in Portugal, is unable to fulfil its obligations and is experiencing liquidity problems. As a result, more than 100 travelers, mostly minors, have been stranded in Spain. The Consumer Rights Protection Center is now working on repatriation of the travelers and organizing accommodation for them while they remain in Spain.

The Consumer Rights Protection Center has suspended the tour operator's license and remains in contact with the children's parents and the Foreign Ministry. Further information on the repatriation process will be posted on the center's website.

Toms Sadovskis, representative of the risk insurance company Balta, informed LETA Friday evening that children from Latvia, who had gone to a surfing camp in Portugal, were at a campsite in the Spanish village of Buendia.

The children's parents are unable to contact the organizers of the trip. Being aware of the seriousness of the situation, Balta has stepped in and paid the accommodation and food costs, and is looking at ways in which it can provide further help.

"Although travel insurance does not cover these costs, we believe it is our duty to help in such situations," emphasized Sadovskis.

According to Firmas.lv, Matiss Dalbergs is Fisom's CEO. In 2022, the company's turnover amounted to EUR 356,396 and losses to EUR 33,452. Information on the company's performance in 2023 is not yet available.