Three Dead, Three Injured After Sudden Wave Sweeps Visitors From Los Gigantes Natural Pool in Tenerife

At least three people have died and three others were injured after a sudden wave swept visitors from a natural pool beneath the Los Gigantes cliffs on the Spanish island of Tenerife on Dec. 7.

Incident Details

Authorities say the incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. local time when several people were "surprised by a wave" and swept into the sea in the natural pool beneath the cliffs, the Emergency and Rescue Group of the Government of the Canary Islands (GES) said.

Emergency teams recovered one person from the water who was later pronounced dead; two more individuals were found dead at the scene. The confirmed fatalities include a 35-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, plus a man whose age has not been released. Three other people were rescued, among them a 39-year-old woman who was taken to a local hospital and another woman who was airlifted to a different medical facility.

Rescue Response

Multiple services responded to the emergency: the GES, Maritime Rescue, Tenerife Firefighters, the Beach Lifeguard Service, the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) and the Civil Guard. The Maritime Rescue helicopter both helped recover a deceased person and rescued a survivor. Beach rescue crews on jet skis retrieved a woman in cardiac arrest and SUC personnel performed advanced resuscitation on the pier; they successfully restored circulation and stabilized her for air transfer to hospital.

The SUC deployed a medical helicopter and five ambulances. The GES helicopter conducted aerial sweeps while Maritime Rescue and Tenerife Firefighters carried out inspections with maritime resources.

Context And Ongoing Inquiries

Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or released full details as investigations continue. The incident follows a string of wave-related accidents in Tenerife earlier in November, when several people were swept into the sea at Puerto de la Cruz pier and Granadilla de Abona beach, resulting in multiple fatalities.

Safety note: Coastal conditions can change rapidly. Visitors are advised to heed warnings from local authorities and lifeguards and avoid exposed rock pools and cliff edges when seas are rough.

PEOPLE has reached out to the GES for further comment.