Dozens of giant jellyfish have reportedly capsized a 10-tonne fishing boat in Japan.

According to Sky News, the incident occurred off the eastern coast of Japan when the Diasan Shinsho-maru boat tried to haul in a net full of the creatures, The Mainichi Daily News reports.

All of the craft's three-man crew were thrown overboard into the sea before being rescued by another trawler near Chosi.

It is feared that water and weather conditions have conspired to help the breeding of the creatures, which can weigh up to 440lbs and grow up to 6ft in diameter.

Hiroshima University Professor Shinichi Ue told Yomiuri: "The arrival is inevitable. A huge jellyfish typhoon will hit the country."