Four people, including two men and two women, lost their lives, and another individual is still missing after a powerful wave pulled a group of swimmers into the ocean at the popular seawater pool in Tenerife, Spain. Emergency services confirmed that three bodies were recovered on December 3, 2023, during a significant rescue operation. The victims included a 35-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man, with further details on one man remaining undisclosed. A fourth victim, a woman, died on December 4 after being revived at the scene and subsequently airlifted to a hospital.
A spokesperson for the emergency services reported that one person remains hospitalized while efforts continue to locate the missing individual. Slovakia’s foreign ministry has confirmed the deaths of two Slovak citizens in the incident, with additional reports from Bucharest verifying the fatalities.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred at the Isla Cangrejo seawater pool, situated along Tenerife’s Los Gigantes coast. Bordered by volcanic rock and separated from the sea by a cement barrier, the pool is a favored spot for tourists. Unfortunately, conditions can become perilous during rough seas, as large waves can easily breach the barrier. Local media have highlighted that a weather advisory for hazardous sea conditions was active at the time of the accident.
Witnesses described the chaos as two massive waves surged through the area. One observer 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.”
Despite visible warnings, residents indicated that some swimmers ignored the signs and barriers erected to prevent access during dangerous weather. One anonymous local emphasized the risks, stating, “People don’t know how the sea is here, and the danger of the pool, because there are rocks below on which people fall and can’t get back up. It’s very dangerous.”
Official Responses and Safety Measures
Emilio Navarro, the mayor of Santiago Del Teide, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and confirmed that search efforts for the missing swimmer would continue. He urged the public to heed safety signage provided by authorities, emphasizing that these measures aim to protect all visitors. “We ask people to pay attention to the signage put up by the authorities,” Navarro stated.
Tragically, this incident is not isolated. Last month, similar circumstances led to three deaths and at least 15 injuries in Tenerife. A woman was fatally pulled into the ocean near Puerto de la Cruz, while a man died at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and another was found deceased near Granadilla.
Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is located off the coast of West Africa. The island is known for its stunning landscapes and attracts numerous tourists annually. As rescue operations continue, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to educate the public about the inherent dangers of swimming under adverse weather conditions.
