The Italian port city of Salerno has been captivated by a "spectacular" waterspout stirring up waters off the coast, skirting ports and reportedly damaging containers as it finally crossed the shore.

Locals shared photos and videos of the whirlwind swirling its way around the bay, with many describing it as "spectacular".

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Waterspouts are similar to tornadoes, but form over water when cool unstable air passes over warmer waters, producing vigorous updraughts that can turn into a spinning column of water.

They generally collapse once they move across solid ground.

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Local media outlet Salerno Today reported that the spout damaged some containers when it made contact with the waterfront at one of the piers.

No injuries have been reported.