Four dead and one missing in Tenerife after being swept out to sea by strong wave

Only last month three people died in similar circumstances

The news was announced by Spanish authorities [in Spanish] on Monday (8 December) who confirmed that four people had died after the incident on Sunday (7 December).

It was reported that a group of people swimming in a natural seawater pool were dragged out to sea by a powerful wave at Isla Cangrejo on the island's Los Gigantes coast.

Emergency services recovered three bodies, while a fourth person, a woman, died on Monday from their injuries after being revived and airlifted to hospital.

One person remains missing, the Guardian reports.

Of the three bodies recovered on Sunday, one victim was a 35-year-old man, another a 55-year-old woman and another was a man whose age was not given.

Two of the victims were Romanian and two were Slovaks, it has been confirmed by their respective governments.

The seawater pool where the incident happened is popular amongst tourists, however the location can become very dangerous in rough seas.

Local news reported that there was a weather alert for rough seas in effect at the time of the incident.

The Guardian say that one media outlet has reported that the pool was closed to swimmers since 3 December.

Meanwhile, the site also reported that residents claimed swimmers have been ignoring signs and fencing designed to deter people entering the sea during bad weather.

Mayor of Santiago Del Tiede, Emilio Navarro, extended his thoughts to the families of the dead.

He added that rescue crews continued to search for the missing swimmer on Monday.

He noted that authorities take measures to make swimmers aware of the dangers of rough seas and to try and dissuade them from entering during such periods.

“We ask people to pay attention to the signage put up by the authorities.

“It’s to take care of and protect everyone.”

This incident comes just a month after a similar 'tidal surge' event which left three people dead and 15 more injured across the island of Tenerife in November.