On Wednesday afternoon, July 2, visitors at Vigía Beach in Mazagón, Huelva, were caught off guard by a sudden strong wave that moved sideways along the shore. The wave swept several people toward a rocky part of the coastline, causing a number of injuries.

Woman Taken to Hospital, Others Hurt but None Seriously

Among those affected was a 28-year-old woman who needed hospital treatment. Thankfully, emergency services confirmed that none of the injuries were serious. Others suffered minor cuts and bruises after being pushed against the rocks or by the force of the wave.

¡Atención! El fuerte arrastre del agua ha provocado que una decena de personas impacten contra varias rocas en la zona de Las Maravillas, en Mazagón.

Según relata un testigo, "un barco pasó muy cerca de la orilla y la gente salió disparada". pic.twitter.com/NzwFufFDX3

— Manuel de Burgos (@manueldeburgos) July 2, 2025

Wave Caused by Passing Methane Tanker and Low Tide

Officials from the Huelva Maritime Authority explained that the wave was triggered by a large methane tanker entering the port of Huelva. The ship, a new model on just its second voyage worldwide, is more than 300 meters long and weighs over 60,000 tons.

Combined with a falling tide, this created unusual water conditions that caused the sudden sideways wave, something locals don’t usually see on this stretch of beach.

Emergency Services Responded Quickly

At around 4:30 pm, the Andalusian Emergency Service (112) received reports of people being swept toward the rocky shore. The Guardia Civil, local police, medical teams (061), beach safety officers, and Civil Protection all rushed to help.

Rescue teams quickly assisted those injured, helping them away from the rocks and providing medical care on site. The woman with more serious injuries was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Massive New Ship Behind the Incident

The maritime authorities say the tanker involved is a state-of-the-art vessel that had only made one trip before arriving in Huelva. Because of its huge size and weight, the ship can create unusual waves, especially when combined with certain tide conditions.

Authorities Advise Caution Near Large Ships

Maritime officials are reminding everyone to be careful around large ships passing close to shore. While rare, the waves they create can sometimes catch people by surprise and cause accidents, especially when tides are low.

Main image: X/@manueldeburgos