Terrified passengers watched as a waterspout passed through a nearby road bridge in the Philippines.

Footage shows the funnel-shaped vortex extending from the dark clouds to the sea below in Cebu City on May 3.

Onlooker Hazel Salvatore said they were waiting for the bus when the weather phenomenon appeared off the coast.

She said: ‘Some passengers remained calm because it was far enough, but others began to panic because it was becoming bigger. It was gone within ten minutes but it was a memorable day.’

Heavy rain poured after the waterspout dissipated.

Waterspout tornadoes form when wind merges from opposite directions near the water’s surface, creating a small area of spin. Warm air at the surface causes the spinning air to rotate faster and it starts to rise – picking up water at the same time and forming a cloud.

Sometimes the air spins so fast that it stretches and a funnel appears from the water to the thunderstorm cloud above.

Waterspouts are generally not dangerous but they can be a risk for aircraft flying through the area and for coral reefs and marine life in the water immediately below. Sailors should also try to avoid waterspouts – as the consequences of floating into one could be disastrous.