Four tourists died and another remains missing after a powerful wave swept swimmers out to sea at a popular natural pool in Tenerife on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, according to Spanish authorities.
Emergency crews received an alert at 4:07 p.m. local time that multiple people had been knocked into the water at Isla Cangrejo pool on the Los Gigantes coast. The natural seawater pool, located in the Santiago del Teide municipality on Tenerife’s western coastline, sits at nearly sea level and is bordered by volcanic rock on one side.
Three bodies were recovered during an extensive rescue operation on Sunday. A 35-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man, and another man about whom no information was given were among the victims. Emergency responders deployed helicopters and jet skis to locate swimmers swept into the rough waters.
A woman was revived at the scene after suffering cardiac arrest. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital but died on December 8, bringing the death toll to four. A 39-year-old woman also sustained injuries in the incident and was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Reports indicate two Slovak citizens were among those who died, though nationality details remain uncertain. Search efforts continued Monday for one person still missing from the group.
Local officials said the swimmers had ignored warning signs and fencing that had been placed around the area. The pool had been closed to visitors since Dec. 3 due to dangerous sea conditions. A weather advisory for rough seas was active at the time of the incident, cautioning people about hazardous ocean conditions throughout the Canary Islands.
Mayor Emilio Navarro of Santiago del Teide expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy. “We ask people to pay attention to the signage put up by the authorities,” Navarro said. “It’s to take care of and protect everyone.”
Area residents familiar with the location described the extreme danger the pool poses during periods of rough weather. Once swept into the ocean, individuals face significant challenges trying to reach safety during rough conditions.
Witnesses described how quickly the situation escalated on Sunday afternoon. One person told reporters they saw increasingly large waves building before realizing they needed to evacuate immediately. Another witness recounted the dramatic scene as waves crashed over the barriers.
The natural pool at Isla Cangrejo sits at nearly sea level. The location’s proximity to sea level combined with its volcanic rock formations becomes extremely hazardous when heavy swells develop.
Tenerife has experienced multiple wave-related incidents in recent weeks. Three people died and 15 others were injured in similar occurrences throughout the island last month. The November incidents also involved tourists being pulled into the ocean by powerful waves at various coastal locations. A woman died after being swept into the sea near a Puerto de la Cruz resort, and a man lost his life in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A third man was later discovered dead in the water off a beach in Granadilla.
The repeated tragedies have prompted calls from local authorities for visitors to exercise greater caution around the coastline, particularly when weather advisories are in effect. Officials emphasized that warning systems and physical barriers are installed specifically to prevent people from accessing dangerous areas during adverse conditions.
Following Sunday’s incident, authorities sealed off the area to prevent further access.
The emergency response involved rescue efforts both by air and sea. An air ambulance transported the critically injured woman to the hospital.
Natural seawater pools along rocky coastlines offer unique swimming experiences but require respect for ocean conditions. When swells increase in height and power, these pools become vulnerable to sudden inundation by waves that can catch swimmers off guard and drag them into open water.
Local officials continue to stress the importance of heeding posted warnings and staying away from coastal areas when authorities issue advisories for dangerous sea conditions. The protection measures implemented by emergency services are designed to safeguard both residents and visitors from the unpredictable force of the ocean during periods of rough weather.
Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is located off the coast of West Africa.