Four people died and one person is missing after a group of swimmers were dragged out to sea by powerful waves at a popular saltwater pool on the rocky coastline west of Tenerife, Spain, authorities said on Monday.
Three bodies, including a 35-year-old man, a 55-year-old woman and another man, were recovered in a major rescue operation on Sunday, but rescuers used motorboats and helicopters to locate and rescue all those who were dragged out to sea.
A fourth woman, a woman, died on Monday a day after being revived at the scene and airlifted to a hospital.
No further information about the identity of the victim was provided.
The swimming pool on Cangrejo Island, located on the coast of Los Gigantes in Tenerife, is popular with foreign tourists, local media reported.
Bounded by volcanic rocks on one side and connected to the sea on the other, the pool is located close to sea level and can be dangerous in rough seas where large waves can easily break through the cement barrier.
Local media reported that a weather warning for rough seas was in effect when the swimmer was swept out to sea. One media outlet reported that the pool had been closed to swimmers since December 3.
Residents in the area said swimmers ignored signs and fences that prevented anyone from entering the pool due to the weather. They said anyone dragged out to sea would have struggled to keep their footing on the slippery rocks beneath the pool.
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“People… don’t know what the sea water here is like, and they don’t know the dangers of the swimming pool, because there are rocks underneath, and people can’t get up if they fall on it. It’s very dangerous,” said a local resident.
Santiago del Teide Mayor Emilio Navarro expressed his condolences to the family and said rescuers continued to search for the missing swimmer on Monday.
He said authorities had taken steps to warn swimmers of the dangers and discourage them from using swimming pools in rough seas.
“We…ask people to pay attention to the signage posted by the authorities,” he said. “This is about looking after and protecting everyone.”
