Tourists injured as tidal bore crashes through safety wall in China

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Dozens of people have been injured after being swept away by the Qiantang River tidal bore in Haining, eastern China's Zhejiang Province.

Hundreds of tourists gathered to watch the large waves created by the natural tidal phenomenon as they swept past - but unwittingly became part of the show as the waves reached as much as 20m high, crashing over the 60-metre-long safety wall and knocking spectators off their feet.

According to the local weather department, this year's huge bores were the highest seen in ten years owing to tropical storm Nanmadol.

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Qiantang River and bay are known as the location of one of the world's largest tidal bore, which travels at up to 40 kph (25 mph).

The natural annual wonder has become a popular attraction for visitors, but has been known to cause a number of deaths. So far, no fatalities have been reported, but over 20 people have been injured.

According to the Daily Mail, the awesome natural phenomenon, which is an abrupt uprising of river water, happens when the moon's gravity influence tides from the sea, moving them upstream, resulting in the amazing bore.