At least three tourists have died and one person is missing after being swept away by strong waves in a natural pool in Los Gigantes on Tenerife. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Sunday, and the rescue operation is ongoing. Swedes present at the scene describe a frightening sight with bodies in the water.
On Sunday around 4 p.m. local time, several high waves crashed into a natural pool in Los Gigantes on the western side of Tenerife. Several tourists were swept into the water and caught in strong underwater currents, resulting in at least three deaths – two men and a woman in her mid-50s – and one missing person. One survivor was revived with CPR on site and airlifted to hospital by helicopter, while three others sustained minor injuries and another a serious head injury.
The Swedish 19-year-olds Emma Mannfolk and Tuva Tammi, who were nearby, witnessed the disaster. 'We heard roaring from the water and saw the first body. A woman was face down in the water, it looked like she was snorkeling but never came up,' Emma recounts. Tuva adds: 'Snorkeling fins and masks were bobbing around, so we think several were snorkeling when the waves hit.' Rescue personnel arrived after at least half an hour with lifeguards, jet skis, and ambulances, and witnesses helped point out bodies amid the high waves.
Swede Magnus Ulfhielm from Halmstad passed the scene shortly afterward and saw a woman floating in the water. 'We thought it was a doll, but she wasn't moving. It wasn't pleasant,' he says. He and his group had avoided swimming due to the large waves.
Local authorities, including rescue service chief Moisés Sánchez, describe the situation as 'very serious,' with the search for the missing person hampered by darkness using helicopters and boats. Among the dead are an Italian and a Slovak citizen. Spanish authorities have warned of high waves and currents this year, and Tenerife has seen 67 drowning incidents up to November. At the beginning of November, three people died in similar incidents on the island. Sweden's Foreign Ministry has no information on Swedish victims.
