Tragedy struck on the Spanish island of Tenerife when a powerful wave swept away a group of swimmers at a popular seawater pool, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and the disappearance of one person. The incident occurred at Isla Cangrejo, located along the scenic coast of Los Gigantes, where emergency services conducted a major rescue operation over the weekend.
On Sunday, emergency crews recovered three bodies: a 35-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man, and a male victim whose identity has not been disclosed. The fourth victim, a woman, succumbed to her injuries on Monday, having been airlifted to a hospital after being revived at the scene. Currently, another individual remains hospitalized, while search efforts continue for the missing swimmer, according to a spokesperson for the emergency services who spoke to Agence France-Presse.
The Slovakian foreign ministry confirmed the deaths of two Slovak citizens in the incident. Bucharest officials later verified the loss of both individuals. The seawater pool, renowned among tourists, is encased in volcanic rock on one side and bordered by a cement barrier on the other, making it particularly hazardous during rough sea conditions. Reports indicate that a weather advisory for turbulent waters was in effect at the time of the incident.
Witnesses described the terrifying moment when two massive waves surged over the barrier, dragging swimmers far from safety. One witness recounted, “We were very far away from the pool, and even then, the waves reached us. I looked backwards and the pool went from being full to having no one.” Local residents expressed concern that many swimmers disregarded signs and fencing intended to warn against entering the pool during hazardous conditions.
Emilio Navarro, the mayor of Santiago Del Teide, extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and noted that rescue operations were still ongoing to locate the missing swimmer. He emphasized the importance of adhering to safety warnings issued by authorities, stating, “We ask people to pay attention to the signage put up by the authorities. It’s to take care of and protect everyone.”
This incident is part of a worrying trend, as similar events have resulted in fatalities in Tenerife in recent weeks. Last month, three individuals lost their lives due to rough sea conditions, including a woman near the Puerto de la Cruz resort and a man in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third victim was discovered deceased in the ocean near Granadilla.
Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands located off the coast of West Africa, remains a popular destination for tourists, but officials continue to stress the importance of safety awareness in the face of unpredictable weather conditions. The local community is mourning the loss of lives while hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing search efforts.
