Qiantang River tides injure spectators

Spectators who came to watch the tides at the Qiantang River are swept from the dike by huge waves caused by a tidal surge in Haining city, East China's Zhejiang province, August 31, 2011. The tides on Wednesday, strengthened by the tropical storm Nanmadol, were the biggest in nine years and have left more than 20 spectators injured. The rising tide of the Qiantang River is a marvelous spectacle rivaled only by the Amazon. Each year, thousands of people flock to watch the magnificent tide on the 18th day of the 8th lunar month (also around the Mid-Autumn Festival that falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month). Many local residents and tourists had come to the dike to watch the annual event when the tidal surge occurred.[Photo/Asianewsphoto]