Czech man dies after falling into sea while taking photos of huge waves in Spain's Canary Islands

MADRID — A Czech tourist died after falling into the sea while apparently taking photographs of huge waves during a storm on the Canary Island of Tenerife, authorities said Thursday.

A Canary Island local government statement said the 53-year-old man died Wednesday afternoon in the town of Puerto de la Cruz. Rescue services retrieved the man from the sea but he died shortly afterwards.

Authorities had warned of possible flooding in coastal areas due to stormy seas around the island in the Atlantic, a popular vacation destination for many Europeans. The government had urged people to take precaution in dock or breakwater areas and to avoid coastal roads and nautical sports.

Tenerife officials said people from some 60 houses were evacuated Wednesday, adding that waves reached some five meters (16 feet) in several areas.

Four people from different countries died last month after falling into the sea during bad weather on mainland Spain.