Tourist dies while paragliding at Brit holiday hotspot as Canary Islands issue urgent alert over monster 20ft waves
A TOURIST has been killed while paragliding in a Brit holiday hotspot – sparking major alerts for other holidaymakers.
Tragedy struck during a bout of bad weather when the foreign victim was on a group excursion.
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A body has been recovered following a paraglider disappearing earlier in the week on TenerifeCredit: Rita Sobot
Rescue workers searched desperately for the missing touristCredit: Rita Sobot
The paraglider had taken off from the high cliffs in the resort of Puerto de la Cruz in north Tenerife.
They vanished during the flight, with emergency services believing the victim may be stuck on the rocks.
A rescue effort was launched and emergency services searched for two days.
A body has been recovered in Puerto, just one day after part of the torn gliding canopy was found floating in the sea.
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The paraglider had launched into flight at nearby Izana.
Emergency services confirmed the paraglider was a foreign national, however no nationality or age has been released at this time.
The discovery was confirmed by Leopoldo Afonso the mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, on the programme Buenos Días Canarias of Televisión Canarias.
The tourist’s remains were recovered from an area close to the docks.
Rescue workers have described the recovery mission as “extremely complex” as they battled with waves exceeding 20 ft in height.
Their difficulties were due to the storm that has continued to batter the Canary Islands.
The wild weather has continued to blast the region, where a yellow alert is currently in place.
Aemet – the Spanish weather agency – said waves will continue to reach 20ft, crashing at 12-second intervals, adding to the danger around water.
There is also an extreme risk of water flooding into the streets.
Strong gusts of wind are also expected to ravage the island from the northwest, exposing slopes and very strong gusts on the summits of Tenerife.
Locals and tourists alike have been urged to stay away from breakwaters and docks, and to avoid any nautical activity until the weather eases.
Since the alarm for the missing person was sounded on Wednesday at 11am, the Civil Guard helicopter and the GES helicopter have been the only resources capable of continuous operation.
The wild weather has continued to blast the Canary Islands where a yellow alert is in placeCredit: Alamy
Tourists and locals have been urged to stay away from the sea during the stormsCredit: Alamy
The dangerous conditions kept GEAS divers and boats from the Maritime Rescue blocked, preventing a visual inspection in the maze of blocks and stones, where they suspected the body could have been trapped.
The paraglider – who had been part of a group of foreign tourists – had vanished when they tried to land on a nearby beach.
Strong gusts of wind and the force of the Atlantic dragged the glider towards the area of the pier esplanade.
It is believed the harness got trapped in the rocks.
Afonso said he wanted to send a message of awareness and respect for the security measures on the coast.
“We ask for common sense and maximum care when the sea presents these conditions,” he said.
He explained that the north of Tenerife was especially dangerous during episodes of coastal phenomena.
There has been a spate of drownings on the Canary Islands, especially Tenerife in recent months, particularly in natural pools on the coast and on promenades.
Flood warnings have been issued for the island as the storms rage onCredit: Alamy
