This is the moment a whirlwind sweeps across a popular Turkish beach and sends umbrellas flying and visitors running.

The incident was filmed in the resort town of Altinoluk in the district of Edremit in the western Turkish province of Balikesir, and three people were reportedly injured in the incident.

In the late afternoon, the freak weather identified as a dust devil which is a type of whirlwind appeared and lifted towels, umbrellas and even sun beds off the ground.

Beachgoers ran away in panic and three people were injured by flying objects, according to reports.

The emergency services were sent to the scene to assist anyone in distress or struck by a flying object.

The dust devil dissipated in a short time and beachgoers returned to the sand to enjoy the afternoon sun after it disappeared.

In the first video, the whirlwind is seen sending debris spinning high into the air as visitors collect their belongings and leave the beach.

The second clip shows sun umbrellas being sent high into the sky above the beach area.

In the third video, a parasol is seen being blown against a palm tree as flags flap furiously in the background.

The fourth clip shows beachgoers packing up their things as debris flies in the air in the background.v

Dust devils are often compared to tornadoes because both are vertically orientated rotating columns of air. But tornadoes tend to be much larger and often come on the back of a supercell thunderstorm, whereas dust devils are caused by the updraught from sunny conditions, as seen here on the beach.