Dramatic helicopter rescue off South Tenerife coast
A high-risk sea rescue took place yesterday afternoon (Friday) on the south coast of Tenerife, as emergency services scrambled to assist sailors caught in dangerous conditions near El Médano beach.
According to the Canary Islands Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES), the incident occurred at around 2:20pm when a sailing boat became trapped by powerful waves and strong gusts of wind, leaving those on board unable to manoeuvre safely.
Crew Member in Difficulty
Early reports indicated that at least one crew member was in serious difficulty due to the force of the swell. With rough seas preventing rescue boats from reaching the vessel, CECOES deployed a Maritime Rescue helicopter as the only viable option.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the helicopter crew successfully carried out a complex evacuation, airlifting those on board to safety.
Once back on land, medical personnel carried out initial assessments to check for any injuries or health concerns. No further details on their condition have yet been confirmed.
Storm ‘Therese’ Keeps Islands on Alert
The incident comes as Storm Therese continues to affect the Canary Islands, bringing strong winds, rain, hazardous coastal conditions, and thunder storms particularly across southern Tenerife.
Emergency services are urging both residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution and to avoid all sea-based activities while conditions remain unstable.
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