Tourists attempting to capture the perfect selfie narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation when a massive wave struck them as they stood on rocks during a storm in the Canary Islands.
The dramatic scene unfolded near the Faro de Sardina del Norte lighthouse in Gran Canaria. A video captured the moment a group of tourists, undeterred by the turbulent weather, positioned themselves on a rocky outcrop as waves relentlessly pounded the shore.
Reports indicate that these tourists disregarded posted warnings and bypassed protective barriers meant to keep visitors away from the perilous cliffs, which plummet more than 66 feet into the ocean below.
In the video, the group appears engrossed with their phones, oblivious to the escalating danger as they edge closer to the precipitous cliffside, enamored by the dramatic backdrop of crashing waves.
Among them, a man is seen standing, absorbed by the scene, while a woman sits nearby on a rock, capturing the unfolding spectacle. Their focus on documenting the moment nearly cost them dearly.
Suddenly, a towering wave surged over the rocky ledge, dousing them with water and sending them into a state of panic. The group quickly scrambled to safety, narrowly avoiding what could have been a tragic outcome.
The wave smashed down onto the platform, sparking fear among the tourists who were heading for higher ground.
‘Once again, lives are put at risk by ignoring safety barriers at one of the most dangerous points on our coastline,’ Canarias 1500 Km de Costa, the association for the prevention of accidents in aquatic environments, warned.
Footage captured near the Faro de Sardina del Norte, in Gran Canaria, showed a group of tourists standing on a rocky ledge as waves crashed ahead of them
One man stood and watched the ferocious waters, while a woman sat on a rock next to him, filming the spectacle
A powerful wave was seen crashing into the rocky ledge, sending a surge of water over their heads as the panicked group ran to safety
The wave smashed down onto the platform, sparking fear among the tourists who were heading for higher ground
Just two weeks ago, in Greece, a giant wave claimed the life of a 53-year-old coastguard after it swept him away while he was on duty.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the man was on foot patrol in the port area of Astros, and while he was mooring boats, a powerful wave dragged him down.
Terrifying footage captured the monster wave rising over a barrier before raining down onto a group of onlookers.
The coast guard suffered a serious head injury as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead after being pulled out of the water and taken to a local medical facility.
It comes as Spain braces itself for flooding, as meteorological forecasts for early February indicate that flood risk will intensify in several regions ahead of and during the week.
Successive Atlantic storm systems are also set to move eastwards across Spain, bringing sustained rainfall, strong winds, and coastal swells.
An orange weather warning is also in place for parts of the Costa del Sol, particularly western areas of Malaga province, including Serrania de Ronda and surrounding municipalities, from Wednesday onwards.
Rainfall totals are expected to reach up to four inches in some inland areas. A broader yellow alert covers much of the Costa del Sol for heavy showers and gusty winds during the same period.
Authorities are also warning of gale-force winds and waves of up to 10ft along the Andalucían coastline on Wednesday, raising concerns about coastal flooding.
The unsettled conditions are forecast to persist for several days, increasing the likelihood of rivers and drainage systems becoming overwhelmed.
Recent storms have already caused widespread disruption in several parts of the country.
Last month, Storms Harry and Joseph brought extreme rainfall to Malaga, with local totals approaching 20cm in parts of the Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol.
Rivers overflowed, prompting emergency rescues and surface flooding in towns including Cartama, Alhaurin de la Torre, and Malaga city.
Flood watches have also been reintroduced in parts of northern and western Spain. #
In Galicia, rivers, including the Mero near Cambre, are being closely monitored as water levels rise.
Orange alerts for heavy coastal seas and strong winds are in place, with local civil protection teams maintaining precautionary measures as further rainfall is forecast.
