Tourists and residents in Tenerife have been issued an urgent warning about the dangers of the sea after a « tragic day » on the Canary Island that left three dead and at least 15 injured. The president of the maritime safety association Canarias 1,500 Km de Costa, Sebastián Quintana, has called for greater awareness after the horror incidents during a coastal pre-alert for rough seas.
Mr Quintana described Saturday (November 8) as « the most tragic day » for aquatic accidents in the archipelago since the group began recording data a decade ago. Almost all the victims were foreign visitors. The worst incident on Saturday occurred at the dock in Puerto de la Cruz, where a huge wave swept 10 tourists into the sea, killing a 79-year-old Dutch cruise passenger and injuring nine others, three of them seriously.
On Saturday morning, six French tourists were injured at Roque de las Bodegas beach in the north of Tenerife when a wave struck them as they walked along the shore, despite safety barriers warning of dangerous conditions. One person was airlifted to hospital with moderate injuries.
Also that afternoon, a man was found floating in the water off El Cabezo beach in Granadilla de Abona, in the south of the island. Lifeguards and emergency teams tried to perform resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A third, a man of unknown nationality, was swept into the ocean at Charco del Viento in La Guancha and later died from his injuries.
Mr Quintana said all victims were caught by surprise by the size of the waves, many of whom were standing on rocky or wave-exposed areas. He described the accidents as preventable, blaming « reckless behaviour » and a « complete lack of understanding of the Atlantic Ocean’s power », particularly among tourists unfamiliar with local sea conditions, according to Canarian Weekly.
He also criticised a « complete disregard for danger, » as he said other tourists could be seen standing on the same breakwater taking photos and selfies of the waves whilst emergency crews recovered the Puerto de la Cruz victim’s body.
Mr Quintana said the day should serve as « a stark reminder » of the importance of prevention, caution and public education. He urged both residents and visitors to respect warning signs, avoid breakwaters and piers, and follow instructions from lifeguards and police during coastal alerts.
He also called for better safety signage, temporary barriers and a visible lifeguard presence when hazardous sea conditions are forecast: « When the sea is rough, beaches and coastal paths must be properly cordoned off and clearly marked as dangerous,” he said.
Pedro Lopez, a waiter working near the scene of the tragedy at Puerto de la Cruz, who jumped into the water to save some of the casualties, said that a barrier normally put in place during a pre-alert was not installed on Saturday.
« I don’t know what happened but the barrier was left open.”
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