A handful of beachgoers in Spain, simply minding their own business, were caught up in a literal whirlwind when a rogue wave smashed along the shore, sending people flailing across the sand and into some nearby rocks. Eight were injured, one fairly seriously.
The wave struck Costa de la Luz, a beach town in the Andalusia region of Spain, and it was generated by a 60,000-ton cargo ship passing by. Paging Ben Gravy…paging Ben Gravy…your next novelty wave notch on your belt is currently calling.
Jokes aside, the situation sounded pretty serious for those involved. Here’s the video:
Moment mini-tsunami sweeps SIDEWAYS across tourist beach injuring 8 injured as freak wave drags sunbathers over rocks(south of Spain) 0507025
This is the moment beach goers began screaming in fear when a massive wave struck a beach in southern Spain. pic.twitter.com/4n0rJS0EJU— john l (@Johnl1465045L) July 5, 2025
One woman, a 28-year-old who simply goes by Rocio, was hospitalized from the freak incident. She broke her leg, and is awaiting surgery in the hospital.
Here’s her account of what happened, via a local Spanish TV:
“I was coming out of the water with a paddle board when the wave hit me from the left and knocked me to the ground. I couldn’t see anything and got trapped under the board. I only found out what had happened and that a ship was to blame when I got to hospital.
“I’ve got to have an operation on my foot and I’ve got a long period of rehabilitation ahead of me. It’s the last thing I wanted at the start of the summer.”
Related: Rare Tidal Wave Cloud Creates Panic in Portugal (Video)
Apparently, an investigation is underway into the situation. Was the cargo ship in the wrong area? Was it going too fast? That sort of stuff.
Recently, not too far away in Portugal, beachgoers experienced another strange incident – a rare tsunami-like looming ominously over the horizon, then consuming the beach, and sending the swimmers and sunbathers into a state of panic. Like a horror movie.
As for the Spanish episode, some are calling it a “mini-tsunami.”
Valid?
Related: 60-Foot Rogue Wave Captured in Pacific Ocean (Video)