The dramatic collapse happened in the Petites Dalles area of the municipality of Saint-Martin-aux-Buneaux, France
This is the heart-racing moment part of a cliff totally gives way in front of terrified onlookers.
A massive section dramatically collapsed near the popular Petites-Dalles beach, close to Fécamp in Normandy, France, on Friday evening. Thankfully, no injuries were reported as one tourist captured the moment on camera. The cliff gave way just before 7pm, sending a huge cloud of dust billowing into the sky.
Among those who watched it all unfold first-hand was Philippe Duboc, deputy mayor of Saint-Martin-aux-Buneaux in the Seine-Maritime department and local head of the sea rescue service. He told ICI Normandie: “We heard what sounded like a fighter jet. Everyone looked up and saw a small landslide on the Dieppe side of the cliff.
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“Then a huge chunk broke away from the cliff and slid down, kicking up a huge cloud of dust. It was like something straight out of a horror film.”
Cliff collapses have become increasingly common along the Seine-Maritime coast. One local resident said: “It’s always a shock when this happens, even though we know the cliffs here are fragile. If you are walking near the coast, please keep to the marked paths and pay attention to warning signs.”
The last significant cliff collapse in the region happened on August 5 near Criel-sur-Mer, close to the beach of Mesnil-Val. Fortunately, that event led to no injuries or damage to nearby homes.
Authorities have warned visitors to stay clear of cliff edges, follow safety signs, and avoid walking along the cliff tops or directly beneath the cliffs due to the ongoing risk of sudden rockfalls.
Petites-Dalles is a small seaside village and former fishing village in Normandy known for its stunning white chalk cliffs. It is said to have inspired impressionist painters like Claude Monet.
The village is located close to Fécamp, a well-known fishing port in Normandy with stunning white cliffs, a small harbour and the Bénédictine Palace. It was once a major centre for cod fishing and is known for producing Bénédictine, a herbal liqueur that has been crafted in the town since the 19th century.