The family of Arek, a 15-year-old boy of Polish descent who vanished a week ago in the waters of Charco del Viento, located in the municipality of La Guancha on Tenerife, has appealed for assistance in the search for their son, as conveyed to the media by the association ‘Canary Islands, 1500 km of coast.’
“We wish to find him and bring him home. He is out there, somewhere in the sea, waiting. We sincerely request everyone not to stop searching for him,” stated Kasia, the mother of the missing teenager, in remarks captured by the association in a press release.
According to the association, it was around 11:30 on Saturday when Arek was gathering crabs and snails alongside his 5-year-old cousin. At that moment, a large wave surged to the shore and swept him into the sea from the natural pool at Charco del Viento.
Initially, it had been reported that they were swimming in this coastal area.
The association notes that during this time, the father of the young girl jumped into the water to rescue them, but he could only manage to grasp the girl’s arm, while Arek was pulled by the wave effects in this region, characterised by steep cliffs and rocky outcrops.
Unawareness of the coastal phenomenon alert
Arek was enjoying a sunlit holiday in the south of the island with his family, completely unaware, as per Canary Islands, 1500 km of coast, that a pre-alert for coastal phenomena had been issued that day throughout the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, with waves reaching heights of up to 4 metres.
In light of this situation, his mother, Kasia, has reached out to the association Canary Islands, 1500 km of coast for the prevention of aquatic accidents, urging a message of assistance and solidarity be sent to the public, while expressing her heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of all emergency, rescue, and medical personnel who have tirelessly searched, by land, sea, and air, for her son’s body over the past few days.
“Exactly one week has passed since the ocean waves took our beloved son. We are truly thankful for all the assistance and kindness we have received. Nevertheless, we feel helpless in the wake of this tragedy. Words cannot adequately express the pain we are experiencing. He will never again hug us, nor will he say ‘good night’ or ‘I love you’, as he did daily. We want to find him and bring him home. He is out there, somewhere, waiting. We ask for help with all our hearts. Please, do not cease the search for Arek,” is the poignant message from the boy’s mother.
