'Biblical' moment thousands of fish leap from the water onto a Costa del Sol quayside

Published: 16:46 EST, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 16:55 EST, 15 November 2026 The 'biblical' moment thousands of fish leapt from the water as they attempted to flee from a suspected predator has been caught on camera.The striking scene, which resembled a miracle in the New Testament, unfolded over 20 minutes on Sunday afternoon at a Costa del Sol quayside near Malaga.Striking footage shows small, silvery marine fish thrashing violently on the riverbank after jumping from the water.Dozens more of the aquatic animals are seen panicking, forming small splashes as they hysterically bounce around.The fish are believed to belong to the herring family, are known locally as lachas and are generally used as bait.Local fishermen's guild representative Mari Carmen Navas attributed the spectacle, which occurred just before 1pm on Sunday, to the presence of a predator such as a tuna.The fish leapt out of the water due to their speedy movement as well as the pressure exerted inside the school itself.Dozens of gulls took advantage of the surreal phenomenon as they swiped an easy lunch while children on the dock by a fishing boat watched on. Striking footage shows small, silvery marine fish thrashing violently on the riverbank after jumping from the water A boy is seen attempting to pick up fish after hundreds landed on the riverbank after escaping a suspected predator Harbour staff and bystanders were said to have started tossing the fish back into the sea - though many died on dry land after their spectacular leapOne social media user, Eduardo Ruiz Ramirez, said: 'I've seen it myself, though at the beach.'As a fisherman, I can vouch for it. It happens when predators corner a school of sardines, causing them to spill over, a defensive manoeuvre to protect themselves.'It comes after some people claimed the scenes were AI-generated.One other social media user responded: 'Not at all. This was just a few minutes ago in Caleta de Velez.'Thousands of small fish seem to be fleeing from some predator, possibly a tuna.'Others suggested the predator could have been a 'small group of sharks' although there was no confirmation as to what it could have been.Angela Flores Lopez said on social media: 'Today the gulls have had a feast.'Another local said, responding to comments urging people in the area to go down to the port with a bucket to fill for a tasty lunch: 'They are a type of sardine but drier and less juicy when grilled.'That's why the port isn't crowded with people catching them. They just aren't very tasty.'Harbour staff and bystanders were said to have started tossing the fish back into the sea – though many died on dry land after their spectacular leap from the water.An almost identical stampede was filmed in Garrucha near Almeria in south-east Spain in July involving the same species. A red tuna was identified at the time as the likely predator.Caleta de Velez which is east of Malaga belongs to the municipality of Velez-Malaga. It is around 30 minutes from Malaga city and its airport.