The coast of Tenerife faced a particularly complicated situation due to a rough seas with very high waveswhich left a tragic toll and mobilized all the island's emergency services.
According to operational data, the day ended with Three people dead and 15 injured in different parts of the coastline, while the pre-alert for coastal phenomena was activated and people were asked not to approach docks or breakwaters.
Victims and rescues in different parts of the island
On the beach of Roque de Las Bodegas (Taganana)Six French tourists were caught off guard by a wave and by the wave heightDespite preventative signage indicating the risk, a woman suffered moderate injuries and was airlifted by helicopter to the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria University Hospital, while Four other victims were hospitalized and a fifth was treated at the scene.
The most serious incident occurred at the dock of Puerto de la Cruz, around 15:00 PM, when a wave swept away ten people who were on the breakwater. Local police officers and passersby jumped into the water to help those affected until the arrival of medical personnel.
Despite the efforts of the staff of the Canary Islands Emergency Service, who deployed five ambulances and performed advanced resuscitation maneuvers, but one woman could not be revived and was pronounced dead. Others nine people were injured (three serious, four moderate and two mild) and were referred to different health centers on the island, including the University Hospital of the Canary Islands and the North Hospital.
Part of the group affected in Puerto de la Cruz was part of cruise ship passengers who had arrived on the island in the morning and traveled by bus to go on an excursion, according to sources consulted.
At El Cabezo beach (Granadilla de Abona)Rescuers located a man floating in the sea. They performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but it was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead.
In addition, at 16:42The 112 Emergency Coordination Center received a report of a man falling into the sea in the area of Charco del Viento (La Guancha)A helicopter from the Canary Islands Government rescued him and transferred him to the helipad at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife dock, where medical personnel confirmed his death due to the severity of his injuries.
Sea conditions and current pre-alert
The Autonomous Community maintained the Pre-alert for coastal phenomena to waves that could reach up to four meters and winds of force six on the Beaufort scale, a scenario that significantly increases the risk on coastal promenades, breakwaters and exposed beaches.
Emergency services (112) reported that the worsening situation was concentrated on the northern and western coast of El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomeraas well as in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and on the north coast of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with a predicted swell of between 2,5 and 4 meters depending on the time of day.
Recommendations and prevention
In adverse sea conditions, the authorities insist on Do not approach docks, breakwaters, puddles or surf zonesRespect buoys and warning signs and avoid risky behaviors such as trying to take pictures on the first line of the coastline.
It is also recommended to exercise extreme caution on seafront promenades, remove objects from areas exposed to waves, and follow the instructions of 112 and local security services at all times, because a single wave can surprise even at a short distance from the water.
Episode summary and follow-up
With all resources deployed, the provisional balance The toll from the storm on the island remains at three dead and 15 injured, with transfers to the main hospitals of Tenerife and multiple coordinated interventions between Local Police, SUC, Salvation and coastal rescue teams.
The episode has highlighted, once again, that when the sea is rough, it is advisable maintain distance and heed the alertsThe combination of swell and wind created scenes of great danger in a matter of seconds, with fatal consequences.
