The family of a teenage boy from Poland who went missing a week ago in the waters of Charco del Viento in La Guancha, Tenerife, has issued a heartfelt appeal for help to continue the search for their son.
The mother of 15-year-old Arek, expressed the family's anguish: "We want to find him and bring him home. He is there, somewhere in the ocean, waiting. We ask with all our hearts for help to find him. Please do not stop looking for him."
The incident occurred around 11:30am last Saturday (22nd February) when Arek was exploring the shoreline for crabs and snails with his 5-year-old cousin. A powerful wave struck the natural pool at Charco del Viento, pulling both children into the sea.
The children's father bravely jumped into the water and managed to rescue the young girl, but the waves' strong currents pulled Arek away.
The family, who were enjoying a holiday on the island, were unaware of the active pre-alert for coastal phenomena. The alert, issued by the Canary Islands government, warned of waves up to four metres high and hazardous conditions along the coast.
A Desperate Search Continues
Since the accident, emergency services, including air, sea, and land search teams, have been tirelessly combing the area in hopes of recovering Arek. The association Canarias, 1500 Km de Costa has been amplifying the family's plea, urging authorities and volunteers to persist in their search efforts.
Kasia, Arek’s mother, expressed her gratitude to all the emergency, rescue, and health personnel involved in the operation: "We are deeply grateful for all the help and kindness we have received. Despite this, we still feel helpless in the face of this tragedy. We cannot put into words the pain we are experiencing."
A Heartfelt Appeal for Help
The family's message is a poignant reminder of their loss: "Exactly one week ago, the waves of the ocean took our beloved son away. He will never hug us again, never say 'good night' or 'I love you' to us again, like he did every day. We ask for help with all our hearts. Please do not stop looking for Arek."
The community and emergency services continue to rally around the family, with hopes that Arek will be found and that the family may find some measure of peace. The association encourages anyone with resources or information to support the ongoing search efforts.
