Overview
- A large section of cliff at Miramar fell into the Atlantic at about 8.20pm on Wednesday, burying two divers and producing a powerful wave that struck the beach.
- Rescuers recovered the body of a female diver hours after the collapse, one diver remains missing and feared dead, and a third escaped unhurt.
- Emergency teams have cordoned off the area, banned access, swimming and boating within a 300-metre zone, and deployed rescue divers to search the sea and shoreline.
- Witnesses described a thunderous, deafening collapse and a huge spray of water when the cliff gave way, and officials are conducting stability checks of the remaining cliffs.
- The fall occurred beside the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse in a busy resort area during a record heatwave, and authorities warn the event may lead to longer closures while they assess coastal risk.