A 61-year-old man has been taken to hospital after suffering serious symptoms of drowning at Grandes Playas in Corralejo, one of the best-known beach areas in northern Fuerteventura.

The emergency happened on Sunday morning in the municipality of La Oliva, when lifeguards spotted that the man was in difficulties in the sea and intervened to bring him safely back to shore.

The Canary Islands Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES 112) received the alert at 10:48am, reporting that beach lifeguards had rescued a person who had been in trouble in the water.

Following the call, emergency coordinators activated medical and security resources to attend the incident.

By the time SUC medical teams arrived at the location given, the 61-year-old had already received initial assistance from the lifeguards who had rescued him.

Paramedics assessed him as suffering from serious symptoms of drowning and provided emergency treatment at the scene.

After being stabilised, he was transferred in the medicalised ambulance to the General Hospital of Fuerteventura for further treatment.

Local Police officers were also mobilised by the emergency coordination centre and assisted with the operation at the beach.

No further information regarding the man's condition or nationality had been officially released at the time of publication.

Popular beach area near Corralejo

Grandes Playas is one of Fuerteventura's most recognisable stretches of coastline and lies alongside the Corralejo Natural Park, just south of the resort of Corralejo.

The extensive beaches and sand dunes make the area particularly popular with holidaymakers as well as local residents, and the coastline attracts swimmers and people taking part in watersports throughout the year.

Today's emergency follows a series of incidents around the Canary Islands in which swimmers have required assistance after encountering difficulties in the Atlantic.

Conditions can vary significantly between beaches and even during the course of the same day, particularly where currents, waves and wind are present.

Visitors are advised to pay close attention to the beach flag system and instructions from lifeguards. A red flag means entering the sea is prohibited, while a yellow flag indicates that swimmers should exercise additional caution.

The intervention at Grandes Playas demonstrates the importance of the lifeguard service, with the man receiving assistance immediately after being brought out of the water, before the SUC medical teams arrived.

Emergency services have not released any additional details about the circumstances that led to the man getting into difficulties.