A giant waterspout tornado sparked panic among residents as it formed at sea in the Philippines.

The large dark funnel was seen whirling off Jagna town in Bohol province on September 7.

It was one of four that had formed off the coast of the province at the same time. 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 led to the thunderstorm.