Three people were killed and another 17 injured after a monster wave crashed into South Africa's coastal city of Durban on Sunday.
The Emergency Medical Services "responded to reports of a freak wave that swept a group of beachgoers against the pier causing multiple injuries," EMS spokesman Njabulo Dlungele said.
"Unfortunately three people, including a teenager, were declared deceased at the scene."
At least 17 people were also taken to various medical facilities for treatment after being injured by the wave, Nlungele said, adding the patients were in serious or critical condition.
More than 35 lifeguards participated in rescue efforts, attending to more than 100 people affected by the massive wave, according to the municipality.
An investigation has been launched into the incident, the municipality said.
Durban is usually a hive of activity around the holiday season, attracting local and international tourists to its beaches.
This year's festive season is expected to attract many travelers eager to return to the beaches after the years when COVID-19 lockdowns and precautions reduced tourism in Durban.
The port city on South Africa's eastern Indian Ocean coast has been gradually reopening its beaches after some were closed due to high levels of E. coli following devastating floods in parts of the KwaZulu-Natal province earlier this year.
Earlier this month, another monster wave bashed into a cruise ship killing one passenger and injuring four more.
The woman, from the US, was killed and four other passengers injured when a massive wall of water struck the Viking Polaris cruise ship.
Authorities said the vessel was sailing towards the port of Ushuaia in southern Argentina on an Antarctic cruise when the incident happened.
The 62-year-old woman was understood to have been hit by broken glass when the wave broke cabin windows late Tuesday during a storm.
Limited damage was suffered by the ship which arrived in Ushuaia, 1,926 miles (3,100km) south of Buenos Aires, the next day.
Viking said in statement: "It is with great sadness that we confirmed a guest passed away following the incident.
"We have notified the guest's family and shared our deepest sympathies."
Viking called it a "rogue wave incident" and said the four other passengers' injuries were non-life threatening.
