A tidal surge on the Spanish holiday island of Tenerife has resulted in three fatalities and 15 injuries, as strong waves battered popular tourist areas.
Emergency services reported that a woman died after being swept into the ocean near the Puerto de la Cruz resort, while a man lost his life at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third man was found dead near a beach in Granadilla.
Rescue teams have expanded their warnings, advising the public to stay away from coastal paths and to refrain from capturing images and videos of the dangerously rough seas.
In addition to the confirmed deaths, emergency responders also reported a man who fell into the waves at La Guancha was airlifted but later declared dead at a hospital. Another victim was found floating near El Cabezo beach, with attempts at resuscitation being unsuccessful.
The Puerto de la Cruz area faced severe incidents as one woman suffered a heart attack, and over ten people were swept out to sea, with three individuals sustaining serious injuries and requiring hospital care.
A local waiter named Pedro recounted heroically jumping into the water to assist those caught in the waves, managing to save three individuals but regretting he could not save the woman who later died.
Eyewitness Carlos highlighted the situation where he implored onlookers taking photos near the waves to move to safety, yet many ignored his warnings.
The Canary Islands are currently under alert for significant coastal risks, as authorities caution locals and tourists about forecasted worsening sea conditions with swells reaching two to four meters.
