Dutch woman, 79, among three killed after high waves sweep Tenerife Coast
Updated at 10:30 to add the information about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs providing consular assistance to the woman's family.
Three people, including a 79-year-old Dutch woman, were killed Saturday when unexpectedly high waves struck several coastal areas on the Spanish island of Tenerife, dragging multiple people into the sea and injuring several others, local media reported. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance to the woman's family.
The Dutch woman died late in the afternoon near the harbor of Puerto de la Cruz, according to the newspaper El Día. Nine others were injured in the same incident after being pulled from the pier into the ocean by a powerful wave.
Similar accidents occurred elsewhere on the island, including in La Guancha, Granadilla, and Anaga, El Día reported. Among the other victims were a 43-year-old Spanish man and another man whose identity has not yet been confirmed. Several people were also injured at those locations, including French tourists.
Authorities in the Canary Islands had issued warnings for high waves before the incidents. Sources told El Día that some French tourists ignored a barrier that had been placed to mark dangerous areas along the coast.
Footage shared by La Radio Canaria showed the moment several people were swept off the pier at Puerto de la Cruz. “Images of the moment a wave drags several people at the pier of Puerto de la Cruz. The SUC confirms that the injured have been taken to various hospitals in Tenerife,” the broadcaster said on X, formerly Twitter.
Emergency services have urged the public to stay away from the ends of piers and breakwaters and to avoid stopping to take photos or videos of the waves.
