Home / Disasters and Accidents / Freak Wave Claims British Tourist's Life in Tenerife
Freak Wave Claims British Tourist's Life in Tenerife
20 Mar
Summary
- A British holidaymaker drowned after a freak wave struck.
- A small earthquake likely caused the dangerous wave.
- The victim was a strong swimmer on vacation.
A British holidaymaker met a tragic end in Tenerife when a freak wave violently struck her against rocks near a coastal lagoon. Rose Buck, 56, was enjoying a swim on February 25, 2026, after her hotel pool was closed.
She had chosen a typically calm spot known as the 'blue lagoon beach.' However, the incident occurred shortly after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook the island, likely generating the powerful, unexpected wave.
Rose, described as a strong swimmer, was flung against the rocks, causing her to lose consciousness and sustain a critical C2 vertebra fracture. She was submerged for approximately five minutes before bystanders alerted lifeguards.
Resuscitation efforts took an additional 13 minutes before she was transported to the hospital. Doctors later determined the brain damage was too extensive for recovery, leading to the decision to remove her from life support on March 6, 2026. She passed away on March 8, 2026.
