Associated Press
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Spanish authorities said Monday that a group of swimmers at a popular saltwater pool along the rocky west coast of the Spanish island of Tenerife were swept away by strong waves and dragged into the sea, leaving four people dead and one missing.
Crews recovered three bodies Sunday, a 35-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman and another man whose information was not provided, during a massive rescue operation using jet skis and helicopters to locate and retrieve everyone who was pulled out to sea. The fourth person, a woman, died on Monday, a day after being resuscitated at the scene and airlifted to hospital.
No additional information regarding the identity of the victim was provided.
The pools on Cangrejo Island, on Tenerife’s Los Gigantes coast, are very popular with foreign tourists, according to local media. Surrounded by volcanic rock on one side and cemented in from the sea on the other, the pool is located almost at sea level and can be extremely dangerous during rough seas as large waves can easily overcome the cement barrier.
Local media reported that a weather warning for rough seas was in effect at the time the swimmers were swept out to sea. A media outlet reported that the pool has been closed to swimmers since December 3.
Nearby residents said swimmers ignored signs and barriers erected to prevent access to the pool due to weather conditions. They said those dragged out to sea would have great difficulty gaining a foothold on the slippery rocks just below the pool.
“People… don’t know what kind of sea this is and how dangerous the pools are because there are rocks below that people can fall into and not be able to get up. It’s very dangerous,” said one local resident, who did not want to give his name.
Santiago del Tide Mayor Emilio Navarro expressed his condolences to the families of the dead and said rescuers were continuing to search for the missing swimmers on Monday.
He said authorities were taking steps to warn beachgoers of the dangers and discourage them from using pools during rough seas.
“We… appeal to people to pay attention to the signs installed by the authorities,” he said. “It’s about taking care of everyone and protecting them.”
