Tourist dies after falling into sea in Tenerife - as footage shows extreme waves battering coast

A tourist has died after falling into the sea in Tenerife.

It’s believed the 53-year-old man was trying to take photographs of huge waves during a storm in Puerto de la Cruz on Wednesday afternoon.

Footage posted by the emergency services showed an air ambulance attempting to rescue him as water crashed on the coastline.

The Czech national was recovered from the sea during high tide but was already in cardiac arrest.

Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him while he was transferred to a helipad where a doctor was standing by to offer further care, but he died a few minutes later.

Officials in the Canary Islands had urged the public to take precautions near the sea because of the extreme weather.

Footage posted by the police on social media showed how strong waves have caused significant damage in coastal areas.

Rocks and debris were seen strewn across the beachfront – with homes flooded after surging water tore off doors.

More than a dozen homes and about 40 people were evacuated in Tenerife because of the treacherous conditions.

Local politicians have pointed to the storm as evidence that climate change is here to stay – and are vowing to introduce preventative measures to protect properties in the future.

Flood alerts across the Canary Islands were lifted on Thursday morning.