A woman has shared footage of the moment “stubborn tourists” ignored safety rules and were swept away by powerful waves on one of Iceland’s most dangerous beaches.
Kelsey, from Manchester, filmed the horrific incident while visiting Reynisfjara beach, where five people have died in just seven years.
The video the traveler shared on TikTok has been viewed by more than 7.5 million people in less than a week.
The tagline reads: “This is what happens when you’re a stubborn tourist and don’t follow the rules. Why are people like this?!”
“Black sand beach is the most dangerous beach in Iceland (and one of the most dangerous beaches in the world) because the ‘sneaker waves’ look calm and small, but are actually so powerful that they pull people into the sea.”
“Rule number 1 on this beach is to never turn your back on the waves” and to go nowhere where you can’t see other footprints. “Some people will do anything for a video/photo.”
They throw their arms in the air as the next wave rolls in, but have to quickly run away after it picks up speed and floods the entire beach.
Two of them fell into the water and were swept away by the strong waves before they managed to get up and walk away
In the clip, two tourists approach the water while a third films them from behind.
They throw their arms in the air as the next wave rolls in, but have to quickly run away after it picks up speed and floods the entire beach.
Two of them fell into the water and were swept away by the strong waves before they managed to get up and walk away.
Viewers flooded the comments lambasting the tourists, asking: “Who walks on clearly saturated sand and doesn’t think the waves rise that far?”
Another wrote: “Is it just me or is it obvious from the size of the waves and the slope of the coast that this would happen. “You can see where the wet sand is.”
A viewer who has visited the beach before claims: “To get to this exact spot you pass a sign with a picture of the last person washed into the sea by sneaker waves and yet there they are.”
Kelsey took another video showing the sign to pass to enter the beach, warning people to “keep a safe distance” from the waves.
Another commenter wrote: “Clueless and dangerous.” I’ve been there and there’s a sign that says, “Don’t go near the waves because of the sneaker waves.”
Others warned: “People die quite often on this beach” and “They laugh but they have no idea how close they came to a life or death situation.”
One viewer wondered: “I never understood the term sneaker/rogue waves.” “You literally see it coming.”
Another shocked commenter added: “It amazes me that people don’t realize how dangerous waves can be at such a short distance. “I forget that not many people have seen the ocean before.
Despite the deadly waves, Reynisfjara is considered the best example of Iceland’s black sand beaches.
It is close to the southernmost village of Vik i Myrdal and is a popular tourist attraction.
However, the currents are notorious for their strength and ability to sweep people out to sea, with the most recent death recorded in 2022 – the fifth death in just seven years.
According to Euro News, there were also twelve serious emergency calls from the beach between 2013 and 2023.
Visit Island is warning travelers about the infamous beach, calling it one of Iceland’s most dangerous destinations.
In addition to the sneaker waves, rocks are also common as the cliffs across the eastern part of the beach are steep and unstable.
The website explains that Reynisfjara beach is divided into zones depending on conditions:
When a yellow light is lit, visitors are not allowed to enter the yellow zone, and when a red light is lit, visitors are not allowed to enter the red zone.
In 2019, a similar video emerged of a large wave overwhelming a group of petrified tourists and carrying them ashore.
The footage was captured by a police officer who was looking down from above.
After the group is surprised by a large wave of water, they can be heard screaming as they struggle to stay on their feet.
They swing their arms wildly to regain their balance, but the tide knocks the tourists to the ground and drags some of them to shore.
A 30-year-old visitor suffered a shoulder injury and was taken to hospital minutes earlier.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
