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Four Dead, One Missing After Rogue Wave Sweeps Swimmers Out to Sea in Tenerife
TENERIFE, SPAIN – A powerful wave tragically claimed the lives of four individuals and left another missing after a group of swimmers was dragged out to sea from a popular seawater pool on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The incident, which unfolded on Sunday, has prompted a major search and rescue operation and raised concerns about safety in rough coastal conditions.
Emergency crews recovered three bodies on Sunday: a 35-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man, and another man whose identity has not yet been released. The fourth victim, a woman, passed away on Monday after initially being revived at the scene and airlifted to a hospital. One additional person remains hospitalized, while authorities continue their search for the missing individual.
While official details regarding the victims’ identities remain limited, Slovakia’s foreign ministry confirmed the deaths of two Slovak citizens in the incident. Bucharest also reported the deaths of two of its citizens.
The seawater pool at Isla Cangrejo, situated along Tenerife’s Los Gigantes coast, is a well-known spot popular with international tourists. Local media describe the pool as being bordered by volcanic rock on one side and a cemented barrier on the other, sitting nearly at sea level. This configuration, while scenic, makes it particularly vulnerable during rough seas when large waves can easily breach the barrier.
Reports from local media indicate that a weather advisory for rough seas was in effect at the time the swimmers were swept away. One outlet further stated that the pool had been closed to the public since December 3rd. A witness recounted to local media how two immense waves “took everything in their path,” leaving the previously full pool empty in an instant.
Area residents have expressed concerns that swimmers disregarded warning signs and fencing erected to prevent access to the pool due to the hazardous weather. They emphasized the extreme difficulty of regaining footing on the slippery rocks beneath the pool for anyone pulled into the turbulent waters.
“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,” one unnamed resident stated.
Emilio Navarro, the mayor of Santiago Del Teide, extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and affirmed that rescue efforts for the missing swimmer would continue. He stressed that authorities consistently take measures to alert bathers to potential dangers and discourage the use of the pool during rough seas. “We… ask people to pay attention to the signage put up by the authorities,” Mayor Navarro urged, “It’s to take care of and protect everyone.”
This tragic event follows similar incidents in Tenerife last month, where three people died and at least 15 were injured in separate water-related accidents. Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is located off the coast of West Africa.