This is the astonishing moment a pod of killer whales repeatedly rammed and sank a yacht full of tourists in Portugal.

The vessel was sailing off the coast of Fonte da Telha beach on Saturday when disaster struck.

Footage shows several orcas chasing the boat before they start violently slamming against it, sending the sailors into a panic as one person shouts 'Oh my God'.

The ship tilts dangerously from side to side before slowly submerging and sinking.

According to the National Maritime Authority, the sailboat belonged to the Nautic Squad club and carried five people.