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A holiday trip turned into a terrifying ordeal in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, when a minibus of British tourists became trapped in sudden floodwater during Storm Therese. The vehicle was caught in an underpass in an area known locally as El Pulpo as torrential rain turned the road into a fast-moving river.

 

In dramatic scenes, one woman clambered out through the sunroof, shouting for help, as muddy water surged around the stranded bus.

 

Another Brit could be heard trying to calm her, saying: “Just stay there, don’t move,” while an Italian onlooker reassured the group that police were on their way. Five tourists, all believed to be from the UK, were on board.

 

As the floodwater rose, the driver managed to help three passengers reach safety, but two women ended up stuck on the roof, one surrounded by suitcases, apparently on the way to or from the airport. Visibly shaken, one broke down in tears as they waited to be rescued.

 

Firefighters eventually reached them by lowering a ladder from a bridge above and lifting them to safety. All five escaped unharmed.

 

The incident happened around 9pm, at the same time as the ES-Alert emergency system sent loud warning messages to mobiles across the north of Tenerife, warning of imminent flooding.

 

Authorities have urged residents and visitors to stay indoors, avoid any non-essential travel and never try to cross fast-moving water, whether on foot or by vehicle.

 

Storm Therese has also caused problems on neighbouring La Gomera. Despite alerts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and seals installed in the area, a group of 19 tourists, accompanied by a professional, entered Laguna Grande while the storm battered the island.

 

What was meant to be a day out quickly became a tense and unforgettable experience when the Guardia Civil intervened and fined the hikers for ignoring the restrictions and exposing themselves to potentially dangerous conditions.

 

Officers are reminding people that heading into natural areas during extreme weather alerts can lead to serious accidents and also puts rescue teams at risk. As the storm gradually moves away from the Canary Islands, emergency services continue to monitor vulnerable areas and repeat the same message: caution and responsibility are the best protection for everyone.

 

 

Images: Guardia Civil Tenerife/Facebook