- The 53-year-old Czech tourist fell into the rough seas in the northern resort of Puerto de la Cruz and drowned despite efforts to save him.
A tourist died and at least 130 people had to be evacuated when Tenerife was hit by freak storms.
The island is now being cleaned up after coastal areas saw waves of more than 16 feet crash against sea walls and sweep water into homes and businesses.
The deceased, a 53-year-old Czech tourist, fell into the rough seas in the northern resort town of Puerto de la Cruz and drowned despite efforts to save him.
It is believed he was taking photos of the spectacular waves in natural pools by the sea when he was swept away.
Horrified witnesses saw his body in the water and called for help.
A tourist died and at least 130 people had to be evacuated when Tenerife was hit by freak storms. Pictured: Workers clean up after storm hits Canary Islands coast
The island is now cleaning up after coastal areas saw waves of more than 16 feet crash against sea walls and sweep water into homes and businesses.
The deceased, a 53-year-old Czech tourist, fell into the rough seas in the northern resort town of Puerto de la Cruz and drowned despite efforts to save him. Pictured: People watch high waves crash in Candelaria, Tenerife on Wednesday.
He was eventually picked up by a helicopter and brought to shore, but could not be revived.
The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands Government issued a statement calling on the public to take extreme precautions, especially near the sea, even though the official alert for abnormal waves was lifted this morning.
Tenerife officials said residents of around 60 homes were evacuated on Wednesday, adding that waves reached around 16 feet in several areas.
Yesterday’s storm caused damage to vehicles, boats and more than 15 homes in the east of the island.
Ironically, a change in the weather today will see Tenerife ‘roasting like an oven’ as temperatures soar into the mid-30s.
The Canaries were already on alert for high temperatures, the presence of haze, wind gusts of 55 miles per hour and forest fires.
However, the very strong waves surprised residents of Tenerife, with houses and streets flooded. Many said they “couldn’t remember anything like this in years.”
Weather experts said the combination of strong gusts of wind, along with spring tides due to the full moon, caused seas to surge onto beaches, promenades and roads near the coastline.
Workers assess the damage to a coastal area of Tenerife
Tenerife officials said residents of around 60 homes were evacuated on Wednesday, adding that waves reached around 16 feet in several areas.
Tourists pose for photos as high waves crash on the coast of La Palma, Gran Canaria, Spain, on Wednesday.
The worst affected areas of Tenerife were El Rosario, Candelaria, Arafo, Güímar and Arico, all along the east coast.
South Tenerife’s most popular holiday resorts escaped damage.
Meteorological agency Aemet says Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife in the north, will record the highest temperature in Spain, around 33 degrees.
Four people from different countries died last month after falling overboard during bad weather conditions on the Spanish mainland.
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