Horror As Tourists Break 'Number One Rule' at Spot Where 5 People Have Died

The moment tourists were almost caught up in dangerous waves on a beach in Iceland has gained viral attention online. TikTok user Kelsey Thompson, also known as @kelseystarlight, garnered a staggering 3.2 million views on a video shedding light on the reckless behavior of tourists who ventured too close to the treacherous waves on Iceland's Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. In the video, a group ventures close to the water before being forced to run back away, falling into the suddenly crashing waves.

"This is what happens when you're a cocky tourist and don't listen to the rules," Kelsey wrote alongside the video. "Why are people like this? Black Sand Beach is Iceland's most dangerous beach, and here is what happens when you turn your back on the waves." Reynisfjara, located on the south coast of Iceland, around 112 miles from capital city Reykjavik, is world famous for its basalt columns, sea stacks and unique black sand as a result of nearby volcanic activity. But behind the beauty is serious danger, notably the notorious "sneaker waves." The deceptively powerful waves appear seemingly calm before surging and unexpectedly dragging people standing nearby out to sea. Thompson told Newsweek: "[I was] stunned over the stupidity of people ignoring the signs and warnings all over the beach." The most recent fatality at the beach occurred in 2022—the fifth of its kind in seven years. A man in his 70s went into the sea despite the dangers and was killed.

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Local authorities emphasize that the most important rule for visitors at Reynisfjara is to "never turn your back on the waves." Official warnings and safety measures are in place at the beach, including zones designated by the level of danger. Yellow and red lights indicate specific restrictions, and visitors are explicitly instructed not to enter restricted zones or turn their back to the ocean. The TikToker's frustration at the tourists ignoring the beach rules is clear, and in thousands of comments, viewers shared their reactions to the footage. "There are literal signs on that beach warning you about sneaker waves," said a TikTok user named Emma. A baffled commenter wrote: "To get to this exact spot you pass a sign with a picture of the last person swept out to sea by sneaker waves and yet here they are." "They're laughing but they're clueless how close they were to a life or death situation," one TikToker said, while another agreed that the situation was "clueless and dangerous." "Tourists probably thinking the waves only come up as high as your sneakers," a commenter joked. Update 11/21/2023, 9 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional comment, pictures and video.