Natural heritage organisation Natuurmonumenten is warning walkers on the Wadden island of Texel about the dangers of quicksand after two people had to be rescued in the last month, the Noordhollands Daglad reports.

The walkers came a cropper in the popular coastal area De Slufter and had sunk into the sand up to their waists before police and local services could free them.

‘You won’t drown in quicksand but if you’re stuck and the water rises to a high level, as it often does here, you could be in very big trouble indeed,’ warden Anna Sprenkeling told the paper.

Natuurmonumenten is placing signs to warn of the danger but said it cannot keep people from coming to the Slufter, which is a public walking area.

People should use their common sense and  keep an eye on the sand, Sprenkeling said. ‘If your footsteps immediately fill up with water it’s time to turn back.’