Shocking footage shows beachgoers sprinting into the surf to save swimmers after rare 'meteotsunami' crashes into Argentina beach.

According to local reports, a 30ft wall of water surged onto beaches along the coast on Monday (12 Jan) - taking sunbathers completely by surprise.

The unusual phenomenon - which behaves like a traditional tsunami but is triggered by sudden atmospheric pressure changes rather than earthquakes - left one person dead and 35 injured.

Footage captured by 43-year-old Vanina Michel in Santa Clara del Mar shows panic on the shoreline as beachgoers dove into the water to pull people back to safety.

According to local media, the chaos began around 3pm after the sea receded by around 20 metres, in line with tide table predictions.

But within seconds, powerful surges sent water rushing back up the beach, catching unsuspecting visitors off guard.

People were knocked off their feet by the force of the incoming waves and several swimmers were dragged out to sea, prompting others to paddle out on kayaks and surfboards to reach them.