This is the terrifying moment a giant waterspout formed off the coast of a village in the Philippines.

The violent swirling vortex was seen stretching from the dark clouds in the sky to the water in the sea in Iloilo City on June 20.

There was a heavy downpour in the village as the waterspout continued to gain height from a distance. It dissipated after almost ten minutes but the stormy weather continued throughout the day.

Resident Black Ferrer said: "There were three waterspouts at first but the other two disappeared quickly. This one lasted a few minutes and appeared to have hit a boat docked nearby but no one was hurt."

This is the terrifying moment a giant waterspout formed off the coast of a village in the Philippines.

The violent swirling vortex was seen stretching from the dark clouds in the sky to the water in the sea in Iloilo City on June 20.

There was heavy downpour in the village as the waterspout continued to gain height from a distance. It dissipated after almost ten minutes but the stormy weather continued throughout the day.

Resident Black Ferrer said: ‘There were three waterspouts at first but the other two disappeared quickly. This one lasted a few minutes and appeared to have hit a boat docked nearby but no one was hurt.’

Waterspouts are intense columns of swirling tornado clouds that form over a body of water. They are most commonly found in subtropical areas and disappear shortly after they come into contact with land.

Scientists believe they are formed when pockets of warm air near the water surface rise suddenly. Cooler air is then sucked into the low-pressure air, which picks up water and rises towards the clouds.