Powerful wave kills 4 and leaves 1 missing at a popular seawater pool on Spain’s Tenerife island

Four Dead, One Missing After Powerful Wave Sweeps Swimmers from Tenerife Seawater Pool

A devastating incident on the Spanish island of Tenerife has left four people dead and one person missing after a powerful wave dragged swimmers out to sea from a popular coastal pool, Spanish authorities confirmed Monday.

The tragedy unfolded at Isla Cangrejo, along the rugged western coastline of Tenerife, where a seawater pool bordered by volcanic rock sits precariously close to sea level. The pool, which is partially protected from the ocean by a cement barrier, was overcome by a large wave that swept multiple swimmers into the treacherous Atlantic waters.

Rescue crews launched an extensive operation using jet skis and helicopters to locate and retrieve those pulled into the sea. Three bodies were recovered on Sunday: a 35-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman, and another man whose details were not disclosed. A fourth victim, a woman who had initially been revived at the scene and airlifted to a hospital, succumbed to her injuries on Monday.

Local officials reported that a weather advisory for dangerous sea conditions was active when the incident occurred. According to regional media reports, the pool had been officially closed to swimmers since December 3 due to safety concerns related to rough seas.

“We ask people to pay attention to the signage put up by the authorities,” said Emilio Navarro, the mayor of Santiago Del Tiede, who expressed condolences to the families of the victims. “It’s to take care of and protect everyone.”

Residents of the area described the deadly scenario, explaining that swimmers had apparently ignored warning signs and protective fencing installed to prevent access to the pool during hazardous conditions.

“People don’t know how the sea is here, and the danger of the pool, because there are rocks below on which people fall and can’t get back up. It’s very dangerous,” said one local resident who declined to be identified.

The topography of the area makes rescue particularly challenging. When swimmers are pulled out to sea, they often struggle to gain a foothold on the slippery rocks that lie just below the pool’s edge, making it nearly impossible to climb back to safety without assistance.

The Isla Cangrejo pool is especially popular with international tourists visiting Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. The archipelago, situated off the northwest coast of Africa, attracts millions of visitors annually with its year-round warm climate and dramatic volcanic landscapes.

This is not the first deadly incident involving powerful waves in Tenerife. In November, strong waves and a tidal surge claimed three lives and injured 15 others when they were pulled into the Atlantic Ocean from coastal areas.

Maritime safety experts note that seawater pools and coastal swimming areas in volcanic regions can present unique dangers that visitors often underestimate. The combination of strong currents, powerful wave action, and jagged volcanic rock formations can quickly transform seemingly placid swimming spots into deadly hazards during adverse weather conditions.

As search operations continue for the fifth person still missing, local authorities are reinforcing the importance of heeding warning signs and weather advisories, particularly for tourists who may be unfamiliar with the potentially volatile sea conditions that can affect Tenerife’s coastline.

The incident has prompted renewed discussions about improving safety measures at popular coastal swimming spots throughout the Canary Islands, especially in locations where the boundary between recreational areas and the open ocean can be dangerously thin during severe weather events.