A P&O cruise ship was sent hurtling into an oil tanker off Majorca amid extreme storms and gale force winds.
Brit passengers onboard were injured in the terrifying smash and thousands of holidaymakers face being stranded after the Brittania snapped its moorings.
5
The strong gales caused the Brittania to smash into the oil tanker
5
Eyewitnesses said the side of the ship was “battered” in the crashCredit: Media Wales
5
Passengers have been left stranded in Majorca after a storm caused their cruise ship to break its mooringsCredit: TNI Press
It was seen drifting off its dock in Palma, Majorca, before crashing into a moored oil tanker next to it.
Tugboats were scrambled to tether the 140,000-tonne ship amid 10ft swells and brutal gusts sweeping the Med holiday islands today.
Passengers reported the captain ordering all crew to their muster stations and warning “this is not a drill”, Wales Online reports.
There are fears the ship may not be able to sail as witnesses claimed the side of the ship was “battered” in the crash.
A P&O spokesperson said: “On Sunday August 27, P&O Cruises Britannia was involved in a weather-related incident while alongside in Palma de Mallorca.
“A small number of individuals sustained minor injuries and are being cared for by the onboard medical centre.
“To allow our technical teams to make an assessment Britannia will remain alongside in Palma de Mallorca tonight with onboard entertainment and activities scheduled.”
It comes as severe weather warnings were issued across the Balearic hotspots of Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera on Sunday.
The 112 emergency service in the Balearics reported 84 storm-related incidents in Majorca in the space of a matter of an hour, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.
Beachgoers ran for their lives as deck chairs and parasols tore across the coast since the terrifying storm hit at around 11am.
Storm debris was captured flying around the air as palm trees struggled to stay rooted, and fast moving water flooded the streets.
Local shop fronts have been ravaged by the storm, which has strewn market stands and stock all over the streets.
Trees were topped and basements flooded while a pregnant woman was injured by a falling sign.
In another distressing clip, a woman with a young child can be seen hiding behind a car, as the thunderstorm raged around them.
Shocking footage also showed poolside furniture being tossed in blustery gales and people sprinting through heavy rain.
One video shared by BBC NI weatherman Barra Best shows a beach structure being lifted by piercing winds and smashing into tourists’ balconies at a coastal hotel in Majorca.
“Severe” orange warnings for 55mph gusts and more than two inches of rain per hour are in place across the islands – which are packed with thousands of sun-seeking Brits hoping to catch last-minute summer sunshine.
Alerts are in place for the seas around the islands with dangerous 10ft swells expected.
And the dangerous weather is set to continue into this evening and through the night.
Temperatures are struggling to top 20C – the same temperature being forecast in Kent today.
And the grim weather is set to continue into tomorrow with moderate rain and wind warnings in place across all four islands.
5
Severe weather warnings are in place for the Balearics as the islands are set to be battered by 55mph gustsCredit: Meteoblue
5
Footage shows the 140,000-tonne ship before it hits the tanker
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education