In the clip, thrill-seeking tourists are sent flying into the sea after being hit by a powerful jet blast from a plane taking off near Maho Beach in the Dutch Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten
Shocking footage captures the moment a horde of sunbathing tourists were blown into the sea by a low-flying jet plane. Holidaymakers were given the shock of their lives when the aeroplane took off just 20 metres above their heads and sent down huge gusts of wind, scattering their belongings and knocking them to the ground.
The incident unfolded on Maho Beach in the Dutch Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten, which is located just yards from the runway of the busy Princess Juliana International Airport. Signs dotted around the area warn tourists to stay away, as the powerful jet blasts can cause ‘severe physical harm and/or death’.
In the video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), a large MD80 Series aircraft is seen loudly gearing up for takeoff as a small crowd watches on from outside the airport fence.
While the spectators initially appear excitable as it becomes airborne – with a few waving to the aeroplane – things quickly become perilous as it speeds up and passes overhead, releasing a powerful stream of air.
The impact causes several people to lose their balance and tumble over into the sand, and a number of them are even pushed into the waves of the sea nearby. One voice in the background is heard saying: “Oh my god!” Another says: “Look at that.”
The beach area outside the airport has become something of an unconventional tourist attraction in recent years after previous videos went viral online. But on social media this week, many commenters seemed unimpressed with the “stupidity” of those who would risk their lives to get so close to the planes.
One wrote: “That’s a lot of stupid people voluntarily getting sandblasted with sand and jetfuel exhaust fumes”.
A different user who claimed to have visited the beach said: “The experience is ferocious. The hot wind (exhaust) with sand feels like you’re getting sandblasted alive.”
One former visitor discouraged others from the experience, writing: “I did this, and ended up with a glass shard lodged in my back. 10/10 wouldn’t recommend.” Someone else said: “The levels of stupidity in this video are unbounded.”
In 2017, a tourist from New Zealand died after watching planes take off with her family and other tourists on Maho Beach.
Mum-of-three Gayleen McEwan, 57, hit her head when she was knocked over by the blast of a jetliner taking off at the airport.
She was given CPR at the scene but died a short time later from her injuries.
After meeting with her bereaved family St Maarten tourist director, Rolando Brison, told the New Zealand Herald at the time: “While they recognised that what they did was wrong, through the clearly visible danger signs, they regret that risk they took turned out in the worst possible way.”