A brutal beating on a Tenerife beach filmed by shocked holidaymakers involved two men who live in local caves and ‘have problems coexisting’, police reveal

• The violent scenes took place on Los Abrigos beach in front of shocked families
• Do you know this man? Did you witness the incident? Email [email protected]

A violent brawl filmed by horrified holidaymakers on a Tenerife beach involved two men who live in local caves and “have problems coexisting”, police have revealed.

A dramatic video shows how the attacker, believed to be a Dutch man in his thirties, They chased the shirtless man to shore, and saw the victim stumble backwards over rocks as he tried to defend himself.

The attacker is said to have used an aluminium stick to hit the man, believed to be a 48-year-old Austrian, who suffered cuts to his back from the sharp edges of the instrument.

“If he had taken an iron bar or a wooden stick, he would have been killed,” a witness told Spanish media, with photos showing the cuts the man suffered.

The violent scenes unfolded on Los Abrigos beach on the southern coast of the holiday island, in front of shocked families, with parents seen leading their children away from the chaos.

The victim, who was only wearing a swimsuit at the time, was lying down sunbathing and had no idea what was about to happen when the attack was launched against her, according to Spanish news website El Debate.

The police intervened and arrested the attacker, who reportedly claimed to have taken the law into his own hands.

Initial reports indicated that the incident was triggered by a suspected pickpocket trying to steal a tourist’s wallet.

But a well-placed police source said: “The two people involved have no fixed abode, live in caves and have problems co-existing.”

Another insider close to the investigation added: “Neither the man, nor the victim of the attack, nor the attacker are tourists.

“One is Austrian and the other Dutch. They have no fixed abode and live in caves.”

Police have not yet officially confirmed the detainee’s nationality, but it appears he is a Dutch national rather than an Austrian.

Although the footage circulating online does not show what happened before the attacker attacked the other man, he can be heard shouting angrily at him before hitting him with the baton as hard as he could.

His victim is seen falling to the ground and rolling backwards over rocks as he tries to escape.

But the attacker continues mercilessly, hitting him repeatedly as he runs after him to the sea.

In a desperate attempt to avoid the blows, the man sank several meters into the water.

The attacker is not discouraged and runs away, even though he is fully dressed.

He continues to hit him, even hitting him in the head, probably inflicting serious injuries.

Children are seen wading in the sea as the attack begins, before being dragged away by their parents who were trying to enjoy a day at the beach.

The video went viral online and a Facebook group shared images of the victim’s injuries..

Gashes are visible on the man’s back where he was hit, and he appears to have been helped by rescuers, who can be heard blowing whistles at the end of the video.

Witnesses confirmed that the attack was triggered by the victim’s attempt to steal the attacker’s wallet, Canarian Weekly reports, however, the exact cause of the attack is unclear.

The man responsible was handcuffed and taken to court, according to reports. He is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation by the court’s medical examiner.