Footage filmed from a cruise ship by a Bolton tourist shows the incredible moment a huge tornado makes its way across the Mediterranean.
Sam Thompson, 29, was sailing from Rome to Palma de Mallorca when he captured the fascinating sight on camera.
He said the tornado happened after a perfectly clear day turned dark and stormy in minutes.
The video, filmed on September 9, shows the tornado - known as a waterspout - making its way across the water.
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It can be seen rising up from the middle of the sea in an impressive display, under a mile from the boat where Sam filmed the clip.
Travel agent Sam said: "It was a beautiful clear day and then all of a sudden we were in this dark cloud.
"I went outside and it was lashing it down with rain and there were these huge waves.
"As soon as the rain stopped, I saw this huge waterspout rise up from nowhere.
"It looked so cool. I knew I had to film it."
Sam said the boat rocking in the force of the storm and the waterspout lasting for 'about three minutes' - before vanishing as quickly as it came.
After that, the weather returned to a clear blue sky once more, leaving no trace.
Sam said: "How often do you see something like that less than a mile away from you?"
A waterspout is a column of rotating, cloud-filled wind descending to an ocean or lake, National Geographic explains.
They are usually smaller and less intense than a tornado on land.
