August 26th 2024.
Next up, let me take you to the breathtaking moment that a cliff unexpectedly crumbled onto a beach in Devon, right next to a group of sunbathers. It was a typical sunny Saturday during the town's Regatta weekend when the incident occurred at the Jacob's Ladder end of the beach.
As beachgoers were lounging on the shore, a cloud of brown dust suddenly filled the air as tons of rocks tumbled down onto the ground in Sidmouth. It was a scary scene as people were forced to run towards the water to escape the landslide and the looming cloud. This is not the first time this year that such an unfortunate event has occurred, as just a few months ago, another cliff crumbled onto the same beach.
A video captured the moment and it's hard to believe how close it came to becoming a disaster for some of the people on the beach. In response to the collapse, the Sidmouth Lifeboat was immediately launched to search the shoreline near Salcombe Mouth, just in case anyone had been swept into the sea. Prior to this incident, a spokesperson for East Devon District Council had warned of the danger posed by the cliffs and urged caution when visiting.
They emphasized that rock falls and landslides are unpredictable and can happen without any warning, potentially causing serious harm or even death. Families with young children were among those sitting on the shoreline when the cliff gave way. The spokesperson reiterated the importance of being careful around the cliffs of East Devon, as they are all made of soft rock and are prone to collapse.
The Coastguard also advises beachgoers to stay a safe distance away from the cliffs - at least the height of the cliff itself. This means that if a cliff is 20 meters high, a distance of 20 meters should be maintained. Unfortunately, the cliffs in Sidmouth have a reputation for crumbling, with previous incidents occurring at both East Beach and Jacob's Ladder. Just last September, a video captured a massive "waterfall of earth" tumbling down at the East Beach end of the town. And in October, there was yet another incident at the other end of the beach, past Jacob's Ladder.
The most recent collapse happened in March, when witnesses described rocks the size of cars falling onto the beach below. It's a reminder of the unpredictable nature of these cliffs and the importance of being cautious when visiting. Let's hope that everyone stays safe and that similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
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