THIS is the terrifying moment massive freak waves swept away boats and swamped seaside towns in Peru.
Footage captures the monster swells battering the coast of the South American country on the Pacific Ocean.
Fishing boats are seen being smashed to pieces, while other videos show the waves surging inland and flooding towns.
The waves repeatedly battering the country are more than three times normal size due to a rare weather phenomenon.
More than 80 ports on the country’s central and north coast have been shut down.
Waves nearly 10ft-high led to flooding in the resort of Lobitos with hotels and restaurants said to be among the businesses affected.
At least six fishing boats were sunk in the popular surf destination.
The Peruvian Navy had been warning since Wednesday the height of waves in some areas would triple in size.
The swells are down to a freak weather pattern known locally as a “maretazo” which experts have linked to offshore winds.
Initially, it was announced 30 ports would be shut from Friday to next Wednesday before a decision was taken to increase the number of closures to 81.
Captain Enrique Varea, head of the Peruvian Navy’s Directorate of Hydrography, said: “Today we’re expecting the swell to reach maximum intensity in the north and centre of the country.
“Ports have been closed and we’re asking people including fishermen and tourists to take care and not go near the sea in the areas affected.”
He added: “This phenomenon will increase the height of waves up to three times on some beaches.”
A TV crew had to run for safety after a huge wave crashed down onto the landmark Grau Square in Peru’s chief seaport of Callao.
Police had put up barriers to stop thrill seekers getting too close to the coastline.
But as they were in the middle of a live feed, one of the waves smashed through the security permiter and nearly swept them off their feet.
A studio presenter could be overheard telling the TV reporter caught up in the drama: “Alejandro, move to a safer place please” as he said:
“The waves are still advancing and they’re carrying the safety barriers with them as if they were toys.”
There were no immediate reports of any casualties.
Peruvian forecasters said they are expecting things to return to normal on New Years Day.
The Peruvian government had recently declared an environmental emergency in the country’s northern coast after an oil spill.
The leak was detected last Friday when the crude oil was about to be loaded on a tanker at a refinery.
The spill impacted at least 10,000 square metres of sea and shoreline and is said to have caused significant harm to local wildlife.
