Mar 20 • 11:46 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Mirror

Brit tourist dies after 'earthquake triggers freak wave' smashing her into rocks

British tourist Rose Buck tragically died after being struck by a freak wave, allegedly caused by a nearby earthquake, while swimming in Tenerife.

Rose Buck, a 56-year-old British tourist and postwoman, tragically lost her life during a holiday in Costa Adeje, Tenerife. While enjoying what was expected to be a calm swim in a lagoon, an earthquake struck the area, generating a freak wave that violently threw her against the rocks. Eyewitness accounts from her daughter, Chantelle Buck-Forrest, painted a picture of an experienced swimmer who chose the lagoon after discovering the hotel pool was closed.

The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and their potential impact on unsuspecting tourists. The local area, known for its calming beaches, was thrust into a chaotic scene as the wave rapidly changed from a gentle swell to a deadly force. Chantelle described how the wave knocked her mother unconscious, leaving onlookers horrified as they witnessed the tragic event unfold.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with aquatic activities, even in seemingly safe environments. The earthquake itself has raised questions about seismic activity in the region, and measures being taken to ensure tourist safety in such scenarios. Families planning vacations in natural settings may need to remain vigilant about local conditions, as the impacts of natural phenomena can sometimes turn leisure into tragedy in an instant.

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