Elderly man rescued from drowning at beach in Playa Las Americas
A 79-year-old man is in a serious condition after being rescued from the sea at Troya Beach in Playa Las Americas in the south of Tenerife on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Canary Islands emergency services (112), the incident happened at around 4.45pm when lifeguards pulled the man from the water and immediately began first aid.
Medical teams from the Canary Emergency Service (SUC) arrived quickly and treated him at the scene before transferring him urgently to Hospiten Sur Hospital, which is not far from the beach. He was reported to be suffering from severe symptoms of “incomplete drowning”.
This is when water enters the airways, causing oxygen deprivation, coughing, and sometimes cardiac or respiratory arrest. Unlike “fatal drowning”, the victim is rescued in time and receives medical treatment, but the condition can still be very dangerous and life-threatening.
Complications such as lung injury, pneumonia, or brain damage due to lack of oxygen can develop even after the person has been removed from the water, which is why urgent hospital care is always required.
This latest incident comes as authorities continue to warn about the dangers of swimming in coastal waters. So far this year, 48 people have lost their lives to drowning in the Canary Islands, making it the leading cause of accidental death in the archipelago.
Tourists and residents are reminded to always follow lifeguard instructions, swim only in designated safe areas, and never swim after drinking alcohol or when tired.
Beach Safety Flag Guide:
- 🟥 Red Flag: No swimming – dangerous conditions.
- 🟨 Yellow Flag: Swim with caution – moderate risk.
- 🟩 Green Flag: Safe to swim – normal conditions.
- ⬛ Black Flag (less common): Beach closed – extreme danger.
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