Dramatic moment terrified beachgoers run from huge wave caused by a 500ft ship in Holland 

Dramatic moment terrified beachgoers run for their lives before being swept into the sea by a huge wave caused by a 500ft ship steaming close to the shore in Holland

  • The ship steamed close to shore and sent a huge wave hurtling to the beach
  • Two children aged five and three, as well as an adult, had to be taken to hospital 
  • The highways and waterways authority lodged a complaint against ship captain

Terrified beachgoers were swept into the sea by a huge wave in Holland, after a 500ft ship strayed too close to the shore. 

The Bonny River, a 160 metre-long sand dredger, passed the beach at Boulevard Bankert in Vlissingen, Zeeland and caused a tidal wave which engulfed at least seven people and caused several others to flee in terror. 

Two children aged five and three, as well as an adult, were taken to hospital after the incident. 

The ship was travelling at around 16 miles per hour, fast enough to generate huge waves.  

The highways and waterways authority Rijkswaterstaat lodged a complaint against the captain of the ship.

A 2011 directive by the agency, which is in force in the area, says that ‘a captain must adjust the speed of his vessel as ‘good seamanship’ to prevent dangerous tidal waves forming so that no danger tor recreational beach users arises.’ 

The Bonny River, a 160 metre-long sand dredger, passed the beach at Boulevard Bankert in Vlissingen, Zeeland and caused a tidal wave

The huge tidal wave engulfed at least seven people and caused several others to flee in terror

The huge tidal wave engulfed at least seven people and caused several others to flee in terror

Two children aged five and three, as well as an adult, were taken to hospital after the incident

Two children aged five and three, as well as an adult, were taken to hospital after the incident

The shocking moment was recorded in early July.

‘The shipping channel runs close to the beach, especially yesterday evening when it was low tide,’ a spokesman told Omroep Zeeland. ‘That’s why we have lodged a complaint against the captain of the ship.’

According to local reports, ship captains are made aware of the closeness of the shipping channel to the beach and told to exercise caution when nearby.  

Children in particular have a tendency to run towards the water, leaving them at risk of large waves. 

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