Three people have tragically lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries after being unexpectedly swept into the ocean on the picturesque Spanish island of Tenerife. The incident took place on Sunday, December 7, at a natural pool located at the majestic Los Gigantes cliffs. The Emergency and Rescue Group of the Government of the Canary Islands (GES) reported that several individuals fell into the water due to the impact of a large wave, sparking a devastating turn of events that resulted in multiple casualties and injuries.
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Authorities were alerted to the incident shortly after 4 p.m. local time on that fateful Sunday. Emergency services swiftly responded to the distress call, only to find a scene of chaos and tragedy unfolding at the Los Gigantes cliffs. One person was tragically found deceased in the water, while two others lost their lives at the scene. The deceased were identified as a 35-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman, and a man of unknown age. Additionally, three individuals were successfully rescued from the perilous waters, with a 39-year-old woman among them who was promptly transferred to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. Another individual, believed to be a woman, had to be airlifted to a separate medical facility for further treatment.
The swift response and valiant efforts of the rescue teams involved cannot be understated. The Maritime Rescue helicopter played a pivotal role in saving lives, as it managed to rescue one person from the water while recovering a deceased individual. Further rescue operations involved beach rescue crews utilising jet skis to save a woman in cardiac arrest, who was then rushed to the pier for advanced resuscitation procedures. The coordinated efforts of the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) staff were crucial in stabilising the woman before she was airlifted to a medical helicopter for urgent evacuation to the hospital. Moreover, two additional survivors received medical attention after making it out of the water unaided, one of whom required transportation to a medical facility for further treatment.
The scale of the tragedy was further emphasised by the extensive deployment of medical resources on the scene. The SUC dispatched a medical helicopter along with five ambulances to provide immediate support. Collaborative efforts from various agencies including the GES, Maritime Rescue, Tenerife Firefighters, Beach lifeguard service, and the Civil Guard were instrumental in managing the crisis. A comprehensive search and rescue operation unfolded, with the GES helicopter conducting aerial sweeps while maritime resources were utilised by Maritime Rescue and Tenerife Firefighters to ensure that no individual was left unattended in the perilous waters.
This devastating incident comes on the heels of a series of unfortunate events in Tenerife, with three people losing their lives in separate incidents on November 8. Tragedy struck as ten individuals were swept into the ocean by powerful waves at the Puerto de la Cruz pier, resulting in one fatality. On the same day, two more lives were lost in a strikingly similar incident at Granadilla de Abona beach in La Guancha, as reported by Spanish newspaper El Mundo. The recurrence of such tragedies underscores the inherent risks posed by natural bodies of water, urging the need for enhanced safety measures and public awareness campaigns to prevent such heart-wrenching events.
In the aftermath of this recent tragedy, questions loom regarding safety protocols at popular tourist spots and the preparedness of emergency response teams to deal with such unforeseen crises. As the investigation into the incident continues, the community remains shattered by the loss of lives and extends heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased individuals. The resilience and unity demonstrated by the rescue teams in the face of adversity stand as a testament to their unwavering commitment to saving lives and upholding public safety in challenging circumstances.