Couple swept onto rocks after crossing barrier in Puerto de la Cruz
Photos from the mole show the pair walking past a closure and a wave warning, standing metres from the surf. Several waves then merged into a wall of water and threw them behind the breakwater. Both were unhurt but in shock.
Johannes Bornewasser is an author, journalist and editor-in-chief of Teneriffa News. He is regarded as a recognised expert on the Canary Islands. Bornewasser is also responsible for the editorial content of the website.
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A young couple from Germany ignore a wave warning in Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife. One of the barriers can still be seen on the right-hand edge of the picture.
The waves keep crashing against the pier. The couple are massively underestimating the danger. Instead of giving in to their natural instinct to flee, they are calmly enjoying the spectacle of the waves from close up.
The ground is already covered in puddles left by previous giant waves. A clear sign that the Atlantic repeatedly breaks its banks at this point. Nevertheless, neither of them realises the danger and they simply carry on walking.
Then it happens: several waves collide just off the coast of Tenerife and, together, build up such force that a wave many metres high forms. The couple (on the right) stand no chance against the enormous force of the water.
Both were hurled onto the rocks behind the breakwaters (small area on the right of the picture) by the collision with the huge wave. The couple were very lucky not to have been dragged into the water or to have hit their heads on the rocks. Neither was injured, but they were in a state of shock after the collision.
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