Tsunami in Majorca: German tourist dies as freak 'mini-tsunami' lashes coast of Spanish island

A German tourist has died after being swept out to sea when a “mini-tsunami” struck beaches in the Balearic Islands.

The 53-year-old man died on Monday after the 5ft wave lashed the resort of Cala Egos on the south east coast of the Majorca, Diario de Mallorca reported.

Spanish police have launched an investigation into the death, according to the newspaper.

The man and his family are believed to have been standing on steps close to the ocean when the freak weather hit.

His wife and daughter were able to escape but he and his son were swept into the water, local media reported.

Both were pulled from the waves by rescuers in a canoe but the man was pronounced dead shortly after 4pm local time (5pm BST).

Meteotsunamis, known as a rissaga in Catalan Spanish, are caused by rapid changes in barometric pressure.

Dramatic images showed beaches and holiday resorts swamped with water.