What happened on the Costa Tropical beaches, mainly Motril and Torrenueva Costa. is known as a Reventón Térmico in Spanish and simply as a Dry Downburst in English.

A downburst is created by a column of sinking air that after hitting the surface spreads out in all directions and is capable of producing straight-line winds of over 240 km/h often producing damage similar to, but distinguishable from, that caused by tornadoes.

In fact, one of the phenomena off Torrenueva Costa was a water spout which lasted minutes.

The current of air slammed into the ground and spread out meaning that those just off the shore on surfboards or lilos (inflatable, beach airbeds) were literally blown out to sea, which is why the Salvamento Marítimo and the Servicio Marítimo de la Guardia Civil mounted sea rescue operations.

Between them and the lifeguards on jet skis, seven people were rescued Sunday evening and into Monday.

Three people were rescued off Playa de la Joya (Torrenueva Costa) and off Playa Salmonete in Carchuna. Nobody was worse for wear after their experience.

Another four people were rescued on a kayak and a paddle board as late as 20.15h by a 10-metre-long yacht and brought into Motril Port.

During Sunday night and Monday early morning the rescue ship, Salvamar Gienah and the SAR helicopter, Helimer 215 combed the area because of numerous floating objects and surfboards miles off the coast.

(News: Motril/Torrenueva Costa, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords, Dry Downburst, Salvamento Maritimo, Guardia Civil Servicio Maritimo, Surfboards, Blown Out To Sea, Rescued, Rescue Ship Salvamar Gienah, SAR helicopter Helimer 215

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