Three people are dead and 15 others have been injured after powerful tidal surges struck Tenerife, with an “extreme caution” alert in place across the Canary Islands.
The three all died within a 24-hour period as enormous waves, some reaching heights of 15 feet, pounded the Spanish holiday destination.
Maritime authorities have urged the public to avoid coastal paths and refrain from photographing the treacherous conditions in a bid to keep locals and tourists alike at a safe distance.
Emergency services have sent out helicopters, coastguards and medical teams across multiple locations as the dangerous sea conditions raged.
A 79-year-old Dutch woman who had just arrived on a cruise ship died at Puerto de la Cruz after being swept away by a massive wave at 3pm.
A 43-year-old local from La Orotava died while fishing at the Charco del Viento natural pools, located west of Puerto de la Cruz, around 4.45pm.
Emergency responders confirmed he was “confirmed dead due to the severity of the injuries he had suffered” after being airlifted to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife docks.
The third victim, whose nationality remains undisclosed, was discovered floating at El Cabezo beach in Granadilla at approximately 2pm.
Chaos broke out after a large wave at the Puerto de la Cruz swept 10 people into the sea
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XLifeguards and medical personnel were unable to revive him after pulling him from the water in a state of cardiac arrest.
Earlier, six French tourists were injured at Roque de las Bodegas – reportedly after disregarding safety warnings about approaching the water around 11.30am.
Three men and three women were swept into the ocean by a wave but managed to escape with assistance from bystanders.
Five required hospital treatment, with one transported by air ambulance, though emergency services confirmed none suffered life-threatening injuries.
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PICTURED: Ambulances park up by the water in Tenerife
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In a separate incident on La Palma island, three individuals were rescued after being found clinging to a buoy off Bajamar Beach in Brena Alta municipality at 12.11pm.
An 86-year-old woman with hypothermia and shoulder injuries was hospitalised alongside a 61-year-old woman, also suffering from hypothermia.
A male victim escaped without injury following the coastguard and firefighter rescue operation.
A local waiter identified only as Pedro said he jumped into the water to rescue victims at Puerto de la Cruz.
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“As soon as I saw a man waving at me I took my clothes off, jumped to the water and I managed to grab three of them and save them. I couldn’t save the woman because she passed away at that moment,” Pedro said.
Carlos, a witness, said he urged amateur photographers to retreat from the waves but “they did not pay attention.”
Daire, a GB News commenter in Tenerife, said “freak waves” struck at the Playa de los Guios.
“We had heard no warnings locally and the swim with caution flags were flying. They only put up red flags after the incident. We are counting ourselves very lucky,” he added.
Regional government officials reminded beachgoers: “Don’t stand at the end of piers or breakwaters, and do not risk taking photographs or videos where the waves break.”
Sea conditions are forecast to deteriorate further with swells between two and four metres expected, with officials demanding that tourists and locals exercise “extreme caution”.
