A slow-moving mini-tsunami struck Ibiza's Platja de s'Arenal beach in San Antonio, forcing holidaymakers to flee as water flooded waterfront restaurants and carried away belongings.
Waves sweep across beach and streets
The unusual phenomenon hit yesterday morning, with waves pushing inland and suddenly appearing beneath shocked sunbathers' feet. Footage shows coolers and containers being carried away as tourists scrambled to move their belongings.
Water reached all the way to the street and flowed onto the terraces of some restaurants, with some holidaymakers wading through the seawater. Unlike a typical tsunami's huge wall of water, the flooding was slow-moving, allowing tourists to walk through it.
Warnings and cancellations
Later in the day, a tribute concert in San Antonio celebrating the music of a Spanish rock band was cancelled for 'security reasons' after weather chiefs warned of further mini-tsunamis.
Known locally as rissagues, the phenomenon also affected Majorca, flooding ports including Alcudia, Andratx and Sóller, as well as Port Adriano in Calvià. In Puerto Alcudia, seawater spilled onto the beachfront promenade, forcing holidaymakers to wade through water. Terrace bar patrons were caught by surprise as the sea crept towards them.
Impact and cause
Menorca's Ciutadella was placed on standby amid warnings that sea levels could rise and fall by up to 1.2 metres (four feet). The first mini-tsunami hit shortly before 8am, with the change in sea level recorded at 86cm (2.8ft). There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Rissagues are not caused by earthquakes or other seismic activity, but are triggered by sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, which can cause sea levels to rise and fall rapidly. In July 2018, mini-tsunamis reaching around five feet flooded coastal roads, beach bars and restaurant terraces in parts of Majorca, with boats torn from their moorings and dragged out to sea.
