TENERIFE, April 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –
A 53-year-old Czech man passed away on Wednesday after plunging into the sea at the natural pools area in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. The tourist was believed to be photographing the surroundings and the rough waves when a powerful wave swept him into the water.
The incident occurred during high tide on Wednesday afternoon, with a flood risk alert in effect along the entire Canary coast and a pre-alert for coastal phenomena.
At 4:15 p.m., the Emergency and Security Coordinating Center (CECOES) 112 of the Canary Islands Government received a distress call. A substantial rescue operation was activated, involving the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) helicopter of the Canary Islands Government, a basic life support ambulance, a medicalized ambulance from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), a doctor and a nurse from the La Guancha health center, a Maritime Rescue vessel, officers from the Local Police of Puerto de la Cruz, the National Police, the Civil Guard, and members of the Tenerife Firefighters Consortium.
Upon reaching the specified location, the GES helicopter rescuers located the victim in the sea, carried out the rescue, and confirmed that he was in cardiac arrest.
In light of the situation, they initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures while transporting him to the La Guancha helisurface. A basic life support ambulance from the SUC, along with a doctor and nurse from the La Guancha health center, were awaiting his arrival. Once the helicopter landed, the primary healthcare team confirmed that the individual remained in cardiac arrest, prompting them to continue advanced resuscitation efforts.
Despite their efforts, after several minutes without success, his death was confirmed. The Civil Guard’s Judicial Police guarded the body until the judicial authorities arrived to facilitate its removal.
The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government advises the public to exercise extreme caution, avoid standing at the edge of docks or breakwaters, refrain from taking risks while capturing photos or videos near where waves break, especially following the recent intense wave activity. Additionally, it is recommended to steer clear of roads near the shoreline and refrain from engaging in sports or nautical activities in areas affected by high swells.
