Meteotsunami kills 1, injures dozens along Argentina’s Atlantic coast

One person was killed and at least 35 others were injured after a meteotsunami struck beaches along Argentina’s Atlantic coast, according to provincial officials and local media.

The incident occurred on Monday at around 4:15 p.m. local time in coastal areas of Buenos Aires Province near the city of Mar del Plata, according to Argentine media outlets La Capital and TN.

Fabián García, an official with Buenos Aires Province Civil Defense, said the fatality occurred in Santa Clara del Mar after a young man was dragged by the surge and hit rocks along the shoreline. García said another person suffered a heart attack and at least 35 people sustained minor injuries.

Officials said an unusual and sudden rise in sea level was recorded in several coastal areas. As a precaution, authorities evacuated beach resorts in the area while civil defense, health, tourism, and security agencies were deployed along the coastline.

Civil Defense described the waves as “spurious,” meaning they occur unpredictably and without warning. García said that although increased winds were forecast earlier in the day.

Argentine television network TN reported the phenomenon was a meteotsunami, a rare event caused by atmospheric pressure and wind changes rather than seismic activity.

Meteorologist Marina Fernández told the network that the sea briefly receded before a large wave surged ashore, sweeping away umbrellas, beach chairs, and people near the shoreline.