This is the spectacular moment four waterspout tornadoes swirled simultaneously off the coast of the Philippines.

The quadruple twisters formed during a morning thunderstorm, terrifying locals in the seaside town of Garcia Hernandez in Bohol province, on September 7.

Incredible footage shows two of the rotating air columns apparently merging, before separating again. Two other waterspout tornadoes were also spotted whirling nearby.

The tornadoes lasted for several minutes before dissipating, followed by heavy rainfall, locals said.

Jhomer Eclarino, chief of state weather agency PAGASA's division in the Visayas region, said the phenomenon was caused by a localised thunderstorm.

He added that a thunderstorm with a wide coverage may spawn multiple tornadoes.

He said hot weather had been baking the area in recent days, increasing water evaporation that fed the thunderstorm.