This is the dramatic moment British holidaymakers were forced to shout for help from the roof of their vehicle after becoming trapped in rising floodwaters during a severe storm in the Canary Islands. The emotionally-charged incident unfolded in Puerto de la Cruz, on the north coast of Tenerife, as torrential rain from Storm Therese battered the region.
Panic on the Roof as Waters Rise
The minibus, carrying five tourists all believed to be from the United Kingdom, came to a standstill in a flooded tunnel. As water levels continued to rise dangerously, the occupants began to fear for their lives. One distressed voice can be heard pleading, 'Can someone get us help?' while another attempts to calm the situation by urging, 'Just stay there, don't move.' An Italian onlooker reassured the group that police were en route.
Frantic Escape Through Sunroof
The holidaymakers initiated a desperate escape through the vehicle's sunroof. The first person out waved her arms frantically, crying 'Help, help' as she emerged onto the roof. The driver managed to assist three occupants to safety. However, two female passengers remained stranded and required intervention from the emergency services.
Firefighters arrived at the scene and executed a precise rescue operation. They lowered a ladder from a bridge directly above the minibus down to its roof. One of the women was visibly in tears as she awaited her turn to be lifted to safety. The incident occurred around 9pm local time, coinciding with a rare emergency weather warning alert sent to mobile phones in the area about imminent flood risks.
Location and Aftermath
Fortunately, all tourists on board the minibus emerged unharmed from the ordeal. The vehicle was stranded on a road near Puerto de la Cruz's famous Botanical Gardens, the second oldest of its kind in Spain, renowned for its extensive collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants. The specific area of the rescue is locally known as 'El Pulpo', which translates to 'The Octopus' in English.
Widespread Devastation from Storm Therese
This terrifying event followed several days of extreme weather affecting the Canary Islands, caused by the brutal Storm Therese. The storm has inflicted widespread devastation across the Atlantic archipelago, resulting in bursting dams, collapsing roads, cancelled flights, and stranded residents.
A specialist armed forces unit has been mobilised in islands including Gran Canaria and Tenerife to assist with the crisis. More than 3,000 people have been evacuated or left stranded on Gran Canaria alone. Emergency services confirmed that 19 dams across Gran Canaria have reached capacity and are releasing water into already swollen ravines, significantly increasing the risk of further flooding in multiple areas.
Official Warnings and Alerts
Weather authorities issued a rare red alert warning for torrential rain, covering the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the northern municipalities of La Orotava and Los Realejos, and Puerto de la Cruz where the minibus incident occurred. This alert was activated at 8pm local time and remained in force until midnight.
The Spanish weather agency Aemet warned both holidaymakers and local residents to expect intense gusts of wind, poor visibility, and continued torrential rain. In response, local town hall officials urgently advised people to avoid all non-essential travel to ensure public safety during the ongoing meteorological emergency.
