Two missing after "freak wave" impact near Island of Reunion in French Indian Ocean

[Ian David]

GLIDE Number: GW-20070513-11329-REU
Date / time: 13/05/2007 17:38:20
Event: Giant Wave Impact
Area: India ocean
Country: RĂŠunion
State/County: Capital City
City: Port of Saint Pierre
Number of Deads: None or unknow
Number of Injured: None or unknow
Damage level: Minor

Description:
A freak wave sparked panic in the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion where two fishermen were still missing on Sunday after their boast capsized the previous evening. The giant wave lashed the southern port of Saint Pierre on Saturday evening sending several piers crashing down and flooding homes along the coastline. Five families had to be evacuated from their homes. France's meteorological office said the giant wave, estimated at 11 metres in some places, came from the south and added that it was a "recurring phenomenon in winter" in the southern hemisphere. Two fishermen brothers were still reported missing after their boat broke into two and capsized, according to witnesses.

Event updates:
Situation Update No. 1 on 13.05.2007 at 18:30:47.
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?lang=eng&id=11329

[SpiralHawk]

1. Freak Wave! You rang?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

2. 11 meters -- estimating between 35 and 40 feet ...

... that's a big wave, but I thought giant waves were much bigger -- like what they're talking about here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/956280.stm