Sunbathers enjoying their vacation had a sudden scare when a massive wave unexpectedly swept across their beach, prompting them to flee for safety.
Visitors on the shores of Tenerife found themselves scrambling away from the shoreline as a powerful surge of water crashed in, causing chaos and forcing people to run for cover to avoid being pulled into the sea. A video shot at the popular location captured the intense moment when the wave crashed against the rocks, triggering panic among tourists as they hurried to escape the oncoming water.
Authorities have been issuing repeated warnings about the risks of swimming in rough sea conditions, especially in light of a recent increase in drowning incidents in the Canary Islands, where 48 individuals lost their lives between January and September of this year.
The Coastal safety organization Canarias, 1500 KM de Costa, highlighted that many accidents occur due to disregarding red flag warnings. They shared a chilling video on Facebook, filmed at the Natural pools of Jover in La Laguna, with a caption emphasizing the importance of prevention.
Earlier this year, a British holidaymaker tragically lost his life after being swept into the ocean by a wave on the island. The man, aged 60, was one of three individuals who encountered difficulties at the Los Gigantes natural swimming pool in the western part of Tenerife. Despite rescue efforts, he was found unconscious in the water and pronounced dead after attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
In response to the rising number of drowning incidents, the Canary Islands Government has launched a significant public awareness campaign, urging residents and tourists to exercise caution near the sea, particularly during periods of high waves and strong swells.
Manuel Miranda, the Regional Minister for Territorial Policy, emphasized the importance of respecting the sea and promoting safety measures to reduce the alarming rate of aquatic accidents in the Canary Islands, where coastal fatalities have exceeded road-related deaths.
Tragedies involving water-related incidents continue to occur in Tenerife, as demonstrated by the recent death of a four-year-old British boy in a hotel pool in San Miguel de Abona. Despite being rescued from the water by a lifeguard, the child remained unresponsive, leading to a devastating outcome that prompted officials to respond swiftly to the emergency.