On the northwest coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, a tragic incident occurred on the Spanish Canary Islands where a ‘monster wave’ swept beach walkers away, resulting in three deaths and 15 injuries, Reuters and other outlets reported on the 9th.
According to foreign media, on the 8th, a large wave hit the northern beach of Tenerife, the largest island of the Canary Islands, famous as a tourist destination. As a result, tourists and other walkers were suddenly swept into the sea, leading to multiple casualties.
The local newspaper Diario de Avisos reported that a group of 10 people, including a Dutch female tourist, were swept into the sea by a large wave that struck the beach in an instant on that day when the seas were rough.
Nearby residents and tourists who witnessed the event collaborated with a rescue helicopter that had been dispatched, but the Dutch woman ultimately died of cardiac arrest, and another three people were seriously injured and transported to the hospital.
Separately from this incident, the local rescue authorities stated that on the same day, a man was found dead in the water at El Cabezo beach in the south of the island. In total, four incidents caused by waves striking various Tenerife beaches resulted in three deaths and 15 injuries.
The authorities added that before the incident, they had warned local residents and tourists of the possibility of high waves and strong winds, urging them to refrain from beach walks.