Cruise Passengers Caught in Tragedy as Giant Wave Sweeps Tourists Off Pier

What should have been a relaxing shore day in Tenerife ended in tragedy when a powerful wave struck a pier, sweeping a group of visitors into the sea. The incident, which occurred during a red coastal alert, involved cruise passengers touring the island on Saturday, 8 November 2025.

Witnesses described the scene as sudden and shocking, with no time to react before the water surged over the pier. Authorities later confirmed that one woman had died and several others were taken to hospital, as questions mount over why safety barriers and warnings were missing during the alert.

Wave Strikes Tenerife Pier During Red Alert

The tragedy unfolded in Puerto de la Cruz on the morning of 8 November 2025, when a massive wave hit the pier as several people stood watching the ocean. The group, which included cruise passengers and locals, were observing the sea from the promenade when a sudden swell surged over the edge, dragging several into the Atlantic.

Officials confirmed that Tenerife was under a red coastal alert at the time, warning of waves reaching up to 15 feet. Despite the advisory, many visitors had gathered along the pier to watch the dramatic surf, unaware of how dangerous it could become.

Sebastián Quintana, spokesperson for the coastal safety platform Canarias, 1,500 km de Costa, said that no one had been swimming. According to him, all were simply observing the sea when the wave hit with unexpected force.

Cruise Passengers Among Victims

Authorities later confirmed that several of the people swept away by the wave were cruise passengers who had arrived earlier that morning at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. They were part of an organised shore excursion visiting Puerto de la Cruz when the tragedy occurred.

One of the victims, a Dutch woman, was rescued from the water but suffered cardiac arrest shortly after being pulled to safety. Despite efforts by emergency responders, she died before reaching the hospital. At least ten people were affected in total, including both tourists and local residents.

Two ships, Silversea’s Silver Dawn and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3, were docked in Tenerife that day. Both were on extended voyages, and many of their guests had disembarked to explore the island’s coastal towns and beaches.

More Tourists Swept Away at Nearby Beach

Not long after the pier incident, emergency services were called to another part of the island following a similar event. At Playa del Roque de Las Bodegas, in northern Tenerife, six French tourists were swept off the shoreline by a powerful wave.

Rescue teams arrived quickly, pulling the group from the water. One woman was airlifted to hospital with moderate injuries, while four others were taken by ambulance for further treatment. Local authorities said the tourists had ignored a flashing warning beacon, which had been activated to signal the hazardous conditions along the coast.

The two incidents occurred within hours of each other, highlighting just how dangerous the sea can become during red alerts. Officials later described the day as one of the most tragic in recent memory for the island’s coastline.

Investigation Underway Into Safety Lapses

Local authorities have launched a full investigation to determine whether proper safety measures were in place at the time of the incident. Questions have been raised over why the pier in Puerto de la Cruz had no visible safety barriers, cordons, or warning signs, despite the red coastal alert issued earlier that morning.

Officials from the coastal safety platform Canarias, 1,500 km de Costa, have called for greater enforcement of restrictions during dangerous sea conditions. Spokesperson Sebastián Quintana said the tragedy highlighted the lack of awareness among both visitors and residents about the power of the ocean, even when skies appear calm.

Investigators are also examining whether the red alert warnings were clearly communicated to tour operators and cruise excursion guides. The findings could influence how future coastal safety procedures are handled across Tenerife and the wider Canary Islands.

Cruise Lines and the Wider Impact

Several cruise ships were docked in Tenerife on the day of the tragedy, including Silversea’s Silver Dawn and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 3. Both vessels had arrived that morning, bringing hundreds of passengers ashore for excursions around the island. It has not yet been confirmed which ship the victims were travelling on, but officials stated that several guests from both ships were among those affected.

Silversea’s Silver Dawn was midway through a 24-night voyage from Southampton to Lisbon, while Mein Schiff 3 was operating a 21-night roundtrip cruise from Bremerhaven. P&O Cruises’ Azura was also homeporting in Tenerife at the time and was preparing to depart on a 14-night itinerary the same day.

The incident has sparked concern among cruise operators and excursion providers about the safety of shore tours during adverse weather alerts. Many lines are expected to review their policies on excursions involving coastal areas, particularly during high surf or storm warnings.

Coastal Safety Concerns in the Canary Islands

The tragedy in Tenerife has reignited debate about coastal safety across the Canary Islands, a region that welcomes millions of cruise visitors each year. Despite clear warnings, accidents involving large waves continue to occur, often when tourists underestimate the strength of the Atlantic swells that batter the islands’ shores.

In 2025 alone, 54 people have drowned across the archipelago, many of them during periods of strong surf or high wave alerts. Experts say that the phenomenon known locally as “mar de fondo,” or ground sea, can produce powerful surges even when the weather appears calm. These unexpected waves can sweep people from rocks, piers, and beaches with little warning.

Safety advocates are now urging authorities to improve communication around coastal alerts, particularly in tourist areas where visitors may not understand local warning systems. Proposals include clearer signage, physical barriers in high-risk zones, and mandatory closures of exposed walkways during red alerts.

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