A day of sightseeing turned into tragedy on Spain’s famed island of Tenerife when a powerful wave slammed into a group of tourists Sunday afternoon, sweeping several into the ocean at the Los Gigantes cliffs — one of the island’s most visited natural pools.
Authorities say three people were killed and three more were injured after the group was “surprised by a wave” around 4 p.m. local time on December 7.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, where chaos unfolded along the jagged rocks. “We heard screaming, and then people just vanished,” said local resident Carmen Díaz, who was nearby. “The sea was calm, then suddenly, it exploded.”
Officials confirmed that a 35-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman, and another man whose age is unknown were killed in the sudden surge.
Rescue helicopters and lifeguards battled rough seas to recover the victims and pull survivors from the churning water. One 39-year-old woman was taken to a nearby hospital, while another was revived from cardiac arrest on the pier before being airlifted to Tenerife University Hospital.
“The situation was extremely dangerous,” said rescue coordinator Javier Torres. “We had to act fast before the currents carried more people out to sea.”
Two others managed to climb out of the water on their own but were treated for hypothermia and shock, officials said.
The tragedy is the latest in a string of deadly ocean incidents across the Canary Islands. Just weeks earlier, three people drowned in similar accidents in Tenerife after being knocked off coastal rocks by unexpected swells.
According to local meteorologists, strong Atlantic currents have caused unusually high waves across the islands this month — often catching beachgoers and hikers by surprise.
“The ocean around Tenerife can turn violent in seconds,” said oceanographer María López of the Canary Institute of Marine Studies. “Even experienced swimmers underestimate the force of these waves.”
Los Gigantes, known as “The Cliffs of the Giants,” is famous for its postcard views and natural swimming pools carved into volcanic rock. But after Sunday’s tragedy, authorities have issued new warnings urging tourists to stay back from the edges during high surf.
In a statement, the Emergency and Rescue Group of the Canary Islands said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Our teams risked their lives in a difficult rescue operation under extreme conditions.”
Locals have begun leaving flowers near the site as the island reels from yet another deadly encounter with the sea.
Source: El Mundo / GES Canary Islands Report
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