- A 53-year-old Czech tourist fell into rough seas in the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz and drowned despite efforts to save him.
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One tourist died and at least 130 people had to be evacuated as Tenerife was hit by freak storms.
The island is being cleaned up today after waves in coastal areas of more than 16 feet crashed into seawalls and swept water into homes and businesses.
The person who died, a 53-year-old Czech tourist, fell into rough seas in the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz and drowned despite efforts to save him.
It is believed that he was taking photographs of the spectacular waves in the natural pools on the seashore when he was swept away.
Horrified witnesses saw his body in the water and called emergency services.
One tourist died and at least 130 people had to be evacuated as Tenerife was hit by freak storms. Pictured: Workers cleaning up after the storm hit the coast of the Canary Islands.
The island is being cleaned up today after waves in coastal areas of more than 16 feet crashed into levees and washed water into homes and businesses.
The person who died, a 53-year-old Czech tourist, fell into rough seas in the northern town of Puerto de la Cruz and drowned despite efforts to save him. Pictured: People watch the high waves arriving at Candelaria, Tenerife, on Wednesday.
He was eventually picked up by a helicopter and taken back to land, but they could not revive him.
The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands has issued a statement urging citizens to take extreme precautions, especially near the sea, although this morning the official alert was lifted due to the strange waves.
Tenerife authorities said people from about 60 homes were evacuated on Wednesday, adding that waves reached about 16 feet in several areas.
Yesterday’s storm caused damage to vehicles, boats and more than 15 homes in the east of the island.
Ironically, a change in weather today will see Tenerife “roasting like an oven” as temperatures rise into the mid-30s.
The Canary Islands were already on alert due to high temperatures, presence of haze, wind gusts of 90 kilometers per hour and forest fires.
However, the strong waves took Tenerife residents by surprise with houses and streets flooded. Many said they “didn’t remember anything like it in years.”
Forecasters said the combination of strong gusts of wind, along with spring tides due to the full moon, caused the sea to wash away beaches, promenades and roads near the coast.
Workers assess the damage in a coastal area of Tenerife
Tenerife authorities said people from about 60 homes were evacuated on Wednesday, adding that waves reached about 16 feet in several areas.
Tourists pose for photographs as high waves crash on the coast of La Palma, Gran Canaria, Spain, on Wednesday.
The most affected areas of Tenerife were El Rosario, Candelaria, Arafo, Güímar and Arico, along the entire Levantine coast.
The most popular resorts in the south of Tenerife were not damaged.
The Aemet meteorological agency says that Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife in the north, will record the highest temperature in Spain at around 33 degrees.
Four people from different countries died last month after falling into the sea during bad weather in mainland Spain.