'I'm a little mermaid': Influencer sparks fury by swimming in deadly banned cave

5 September 2023, 18:34 | Updated: 5 September 2023, 19:03

Marina Rivers was criticised for her swim
Marina Rivers was criticised for her swim. Picture: Instagram

By Kit Heren

An influencer has created a splash by swimming in a cave banned because of the death of several adventurers in recent times.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Marina Rivera Saldaña, a Spanish social media star, found herself in hotter water than expected after the stunt in the El Tancón cave in Santiago del Teide in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands.

Ms Saldaña, who goes by Marina Rivers online, described herself as "a little mermaid from Makoo" in the caption to the images of her swim, which she posted on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

But at least six people have died in the cave, and local authorities have banned people from swimming in it.

The danger comes from a "bufadero", a chimney-like formation with unpredictable water currents that makes it hard for rescue teams to get inside and save people if they get in trouble.

Read more: Influencer Oli London 'living as Ken' after detransitioning from Barbie look that cost him almost £250k in surgery

Read more: 'I love beer and I always have': Trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney speaks out after Bud Light sales crash

Marina Rivers
Marina Rivers. Picture: Instagram

Her swimming photo-op sparked anger from commenters online.

Writing in Spanish, one person wrote: "Bathing is prohibited there. We are tired of tourists who do not respect our land."

Another added: "It seems disrespectful to me that you are bathing in a place that is PROHIBITED, which is FENCED and SIGNED for which bathing is prohibited and you enter because of the photo, and publish it on top of that.

"People have died where you are, it is not a suitable swimming area."

A third said that she should take down the post, because it could influence others to visit the deadly cave.

Marina Rivers
Marina Rivers. Picture: Instagram

The commenter said: "You should think about removing the publication due to your position as an influencer. You probably haven't thought about the risks involved, but that place could have literally swallowed you or hit the extremes without being able to control the situation.

"I don't judge you for not knowing the consequences, but it is not right - due to your position on the networks - to influence or poorly recommend people with this mistake."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Max George was visited in hospital by his girlfriend Maisie Smith

Eastenders star Maisie Smith in emotional hospital visit to pop star boyfriend Max George before urgent heart surgery

Luigi Mangione leaving court

Health insurance boss shooting suspect to face charges of murder and stalking

The scene in Culzean Crescent, Kilmarnock, where a double-decker bus crashed into a railway bridge.

Four rushed to hospital after roof of double-decker bus torn off in railway bridge crash

Andrew Tate with his brother Tristan in the background

Case against Andrew Tate and brother cannot go to trial, appeal court rules

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appearing before the Liaison Committee

Starmer admits boosting living standards will take time, as he claims worst-off are 'already doing better with Labour'

Murderer Kevin Ray Underwood in an orange shirt

Man who murdered girl, 10, as part of cannibalistic fantasy is executed

Julian Lennon has revealed a cancer diagnosis

John Lennon's son Julian reveals shock cancer diagnosis as he undergoes emergency surgery

Three hospitals have urged patients to avoid A&E unless absolutely necessary as services are hit by high demand.

Hospitals urge public to avoid A&E unless urgent as services hit by 'exceptionally high demand'

A

'Ignore, ignore, ignore': Andrew Tate brags about refusing to pay taxes in resurfaced video - as police to seize over £2million

Tulip Siddiq and Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer backs Labour minister Tulip Siddiq after she was 'accused of family corruption plot' in Bangladesh

Mathias and Paul Pogba

Brother of footballer Paul Pogba jailed over extortion and kidnapping plot

Luigi Mangione leaving court

Healthcare chief shooting suspect to return to New York to face murder charges

Luigi Nicholas Mangione leaves at Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, Pool)

Luigi Mangione waives extradition over health insurance boss shooting in New York

Mason Rist and Max Dixon were killed in a mistaken identity attack

Teens detained for life over murder of two best friends stabbed to death in mistaken identity revenge attack

Women stand amid the destroyed buildings on the island of Mayotte

French president visits Mayotte to survey damage from cyclone

Exclusive
Sara Sharif, 10, was found "beaten to death " at the family home in Woking, Surrey

Jurors involved in 'extremely stressful and traumatic' Sara Sharif case offered counselling and support