A rare and violent meteotsunami struck Argentina’s Atlantic coastline on Monday, January 12, 2026, turning a routine summer beach day into chaos within seconds.
One man was killed and at least 35 people were injured when a powerful surge of water rushed onto crowded beaches without warning. The event unfolded during peak holiday season, when thousands of residents and tourists were swimming or gathered along the shore.
The Moment Everything Changed
The phenomenon occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. local time. Witnesses reported that the sea suddenly and unnaturally receded, exposing large stretches of seabed. Moments later, the water returned with extreme force.
Lifeguard Maximiliano Prensky said nearly 5,000 people were in the water at the time, with many more on the sand, leaving little time to react.
Four Beaches Hit Almost Simultaneously
The meteotsunami impacted four beaches along Buenos Aires Province: Santa Clara del Mar, Mar Chiquita, Camet, and Mar del Plata. Santa Clara del Mar, located about 20 kilometers north of Mar del Plata, experienced the most severe effects and is considered the epicenter.
The near-simultaneous impact across multiple locations amplified confusion and hindered immediate coordinated response efforts.
Peak Summer Conditions Increased Exposure
The surge struck on one of the hottest days of Argentina’s summer, with temperatures estimated between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius.
Beaches were at or near full capacity as families sought relief from the heat. The combination of extreme temperatures, crowded shorelines, and swimmers already in the water significantly increased the number of people exposed when the wave arrived.
Conflicting Wave Height Estimates
Reported wave heights varied across official and media accounts. Some outlets cited surges reaching approximately 16 feet, while eyewitnesses estimated heights of up to 30 feet. Other reports described water rises exceeding five meters.
Authorities acknowledged the difficulty of precise measurement due to the sudden nature of the event and the lack of specialized coastal monitoring instruments in the area.
Water Penetration Far Beyond the Shoreline
In certain low-lying coastal areas, the rushing water pushed inland up to 15 meters, sweeping across sand, rocks, and walkways. Beach furniture, umbrellas, and personal belongings were dragged away or destroyed.
The rapid inland reach contributed to injuries among people who believed they were safely positioned well above the waterline moments before the surge hit.
Eyewitness Accounts of a “Black Whirlpool”
Several lifeguards and beachgoers described a frightening visual just before impact. One lifeguard said a “black whirlpool” appeared offshore as the sea pulled back, followed by a powerful wall of water.
Many witnesses stated they had never seen anything similar, emphasizing the unusual and disorienting nature of the phenomenon compared to normal storm-driven waves.
The Victim Identified
The fatality was identified as Yair Manno, also reported as Yair Amir Manno Nunez, a 29-year-old man from Mar del Plata.
According to Provincial Civil Defense, he was visiting family after having lived in France. Manno was near fishermen at the Mar Chiquita lagoon when the surge swept him into rocks, causing fatal injuries.
Rescue Efforts and Confirmation of Death
Lifeguards and emergency responders reached Manno quickly and attempted resuscitation. CPR was performed at the scene, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Officials confirmed that his death was caused by the sudden impact and trauma from being thrown against rocks, underscoring the lethal force generated by the unexpected surge.
Dozens Injured in Widespread Panic
At least 35 people were treated for injuries including cuts, bruises, and blunt-force trauma. One individual suffered a heart attack during the panic and required hospitalization.
Video footage from the beaches shows people running in all directions as the water advanced rapidly, creating conditions where falls, collisions, and secondary injuries became unavoidable.
Chaos Captured on Video
Videos circulating after the event show waves racing across the sand, knocking people off their feet and scattering beach equipment.
Umbrellas, chairs, and bags were carried away in seconds. The footage illustrates how quickly the situation escalated, with no audible or visual warning systems alerting beachgoers before the sea withdrew and returned violently.
Understanding Meteotsunamis
A meteotsunami is not caused by earthquakes or underwater landslides. Instead, it results from rapid atmospheric pressure changes, wind shifts, or intense weather systems that displace large volumes of water.
Although they resemble seismic tsunamis in appearance, meteotsunamis are driven entirely by meteorological forces, making them harder to detect in advance.
Known Locally as a “Virazón”
In Argentina, the phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a “virazón,” describing a sudden and violent shift in wind direction, often from northwest to southeast.
This abrupt change can generate a meteorological tide capable of producing dangerous surges. Authorities stated that such events are rare and not fully understood, even in regions familiar with abrupt coastal weather shifts.
Officials Emphasize Unpredictability
Fabián García, head of Civil Defense for Buenos Aires Province, described the meteotsunami as an unforeseeable event. He stated that there were no meteorological or scientific studies that predicted the surge.
According to officials, current forecasting tools are unable to reliably anticipate the precise timing and location of meteotsunamis.
Why No Warning Was Issued
Unlike seismic tsunamis, which can trigger alerts through earthquake monitoring networks, meteotsunamis develop from fast-moving atmospheric conditions that may not raise alarms until the event is already unfolding.
The rapid onset leaves little opportunity for evacuation, especially when beaches are crowded and the first visible sign is the sudden retreat of the sea.
Emergency Response on the Ground
Provincial Civil Defense coordinated the emergency response alongside local lifeguards, medical teams, and municipal authorities.
Injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals, while beaches were temporarily cleared to assess safety conditions. Officials confirmed the meteotsunami classification after reviewing atmospheric and coastal data collected during and after the event.
Beaches Reopen With Caution
Following inspections, affected beaches were gradually reopened. Authorities increased lifeguard patrols and installed additional signage warning about sudden atmospheric hazards.
While officials stressed that such events remain extremely rare, they acknowledged the need for heightened awareness during periods of extreme heat and unstable weather conditions.
A Stark Reminder of Coastal Vulnerability
The disaster highlighted how densely populated beaches can become vulnerable within seconds when rare natural phenomena occur. With thousands of swimmers in the water and no evacuation window, even a brief surge can cause mass injuries and fatalities.
Officials emphasized that human response time is often insufficient when faced with such rapid environmental shifts.
Not Just an Argentine Risk
Experts note that meteotsunamis have occurred in other parts of the world, including the Mediterranean, the United States, and the Great Lakes region.
While uncommon, they demonstrate that weather alone can generate tsunami-like waves. The Argentina event reinforces global concerns about coastal safety during increasingly volatile weather patterns.
An Unanswered Scientific Challenge
The January 12 meteotsunami left one person dead, dozens injured, and thousands shaken. Authorities concede that science currently lacks reliable tools to forecast these events.
As climate variability increases, researchers and emergency planners face growing pressure to better understand and communicate the risks of rare but devastating atmospheric-driven coastal hazards.
Sources:
People.com, “1 Dead and at least 35 Injured After ‘Meteotsunami’ Wipes Through Argentine Beaches,” January 13, 2026.
Weather.com, “Deadly Meteotsunami Slams Beach In Argentina,” January 14, 2026.
Independent.co.uk, “Deadly meteotsunami smashes into Argentina coast as beachgoers scramble,” January 13–14, 2026.
Associated Press (via Crónica, La Nación, Clarín), January 12–13, 2026.
Mercopress, “Gigantic wave kills one Argentine beachgoer near Mar del Plata,” January 12, 2026