British tourist rescued after being swept out to sea in South Tenerife
A British tourist was rescued this afternoon (Friday) after being swept out to sea by strong currents in the south of Tenerife, as severe weather conditions continue to affect the Canary Islands.
The incident took place at La Arenita beach in the area of El Palmar in Arona. According to Maritime Rescue, the man got into difficulty while swimming and was unable to return to shore due to powerful sea currents.
Emergency services were alerted, triggering a coordinated rescue operation. Resources deployed included a helicopter from the Canary Islands Government’s Emergency and Rescue Group (GES), the rescue vessel Salvamar Diphda, and the Helimer 201 helicopter.
Before the arrival of Maritime Safety teams, several beachgoers, along with firefighters who were dispatched to the scene, attempted to assist him from the shore. Their efforts helped keep the situation under control until the rescue boat reached him and managed to get him safely on board.
The rescued holidaymaker was transported by sea to the port of Los Cristianos, where an ambulance was waiting to provide medical assistance. No further details have been released regarding his condition, but the operation concluded successfully thanks to the rapid response of both emergency services and members of the public.
The rescue comes as the Canary Islands remain under weather alerts due to Storm Emilia. The archipelago is on alert for heavy rain, strong winds, coastal phenomena and dangerous sea conditions. Authorities have warned that the storm could bring rainfall of up to 100 litres per square metre in 12 hours, wind gusts of between 70 and 100 km/h, and waves reaching heights of up to nine metres.
Emergency services are reminding residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution, particularly along the coast, and to follow official advice during periods of adverse weather. Swimming in rough seas and ignoring warning flags can put lives at serious risk, especially when strong currents and big waves are present.
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