Hilarious moment revellers desperately scramble out of sinking party boat in Amsterdam canal after overcrowding vessel
THIS is the bizarre moment when a boat full of party goers in Amsterdam were left desperately scrambling as their boat sunk in a canal.
Hilarious footage caught the unfortunate mishap as the overcrowded vessel quickly dipped below the murky brown water as around 20 revellers were forced to accept their soggy fate.
The large group had squeezed onto a tiny motorboat as they sailed through Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal celebrating Kings Day in the Netherlands.
Many of those on board were caked head to toe in patriotic orange colours but as the viral video shows their future was far from bright.
At around 2pm on April 27, the wet misery unfolded as the bustling boat took a nosedive into the canal as it failed to hold the weight of the passengers on board.
The dinghy almost managed to survive the cold dip but it quickly became clear to the hundreds watching on that they were about to feel a sinking feeling.
In a desperate last attempt to flee to safety, many of those on board scrambled to the top of the boat as they prepared to make a giant leap onto the adjacent railing.
This shift of bodies made the vessel sink deeper and deeper as it became swamped with water.
Wide-eyed onlookers started screaming “no” to those on board as they attempted to jump across to safety as others simply chuckled.
Almost half of the revellers jumped and miraculously a few managed to hold on tight to the barrier and pull themselves up to dry land.
Others were left dangling from the wall with their jeans bogged down in the canal as their pals heaved them up.
The remaining 10 or so stragglers were left bobbing up and down in the water accepting their fate.
Just the one managed to avoid the plunge altogether as he stayed proudly on the boat as it bounced back up above board.
With only his trainers taking the brunt of the wet and wild experience.
It is thought that the boat had around three times as many crew on board as usually seen.
Rapturous pockets of laughter can be heard erupting from bystanders as the people shake off the water from their now destroyed clothes.
What were they celebrating?
The unfortunate floaters were celebrating a Dutch national holiday known as King’s Day.
The Netherlands spend April 27 each year drinking, partying and making memories as they wish King Willem-Alexander a happy birthday.
Many people flock to the countries central hub of Amsterdam to celebrate with friends and family that often leads to them sailing through the city on one of the 165 canals.
King’s Day, also known as Koningsdag, has been one of the Netherlands’ biggest days over almost the last 150 years.
It is interchangeable with whoever wears the crown.
First celebrated in 1885 as Princess’ Day, the event saw Princess Wilhelmina enjoy her birthday with the whole country.
After five years she took to the throne and it became known as Queen’s Day.
It has stayed tradition for Wilhelmina’s daughter Juliana and also Queen Beatrix after her.
However Beatrix, born in the winter time, preferred a summertime celebration so steered clear of the norm and picked April 30, as her national birthday party.
Since 2009, it has been known as King’s Day under the long reign of Willem-Alexander.
The King has ventured out to one city every year to celebrate with the locals.
In 2024, he chose Emmen as his party spot.
