Disturbing footage has captured the moment a gay couple claims they were attacked by strangers and pelted with sand on a European beach because of their sexuality.
Australian Ricky Liu and his boyfriend Craig were taking pictures in the water at Bacvice Beach near the coastal city of Split in southern Croatia on July 19.
Mr Liu, who lives in London, noticed the children throwing sand at the couple and initially thought they were just playing a prank.
He later uploaded a video to TikTok claiming the motive for the act was far more sinister.
“I walked up to them and said, ‘Can you please stop throwing sand at us?'” Liu said.
He claimed the group made fun of him for being gay.
The Australian was captured on video speaking to several of the children during the altercation before being pelted with sand.
Mr Liu said some sand got caught in his eye and he decided he had had enough of the “bullying” and confronted the group a second time.
Ricky Liu (pictured left) and his boyfriend Craig (pictured right) were taking photos on the beach when the boys allegedly began throwing sand at the couple.
In the video, Mr Liu is seen informing one of the boys that he was recording the incident and would not hesitate to report it to the police.
“I was recording the whole time. I was afraid for my own safety, but I will not let this injustice go unrecorded either,” Liu said.
The couple, who were also with a friend, later decided to return to shore but say they continued to suffer abuse from strangers.
Mr Liu said a man and a woman threw stones and cigarettes at them before the woman spat on the ground as they were getting dressed.
As they walked away from the beach, Mr Liu said a man followed them and pushed Craig against a tree before punching him.
“If you are gay and you go to Croatia, you have to be careful,” he said.
‘I must fear for my safety for the rest of my vacation.’
Mr Liu, who was on holiday in Croatia, claimed a man and woman allegedly threw stones and cigarettes at the couple after they returned to shore (file image)
Social media users were quick to share their disgust at the behavior displayed by the strangers.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through this,” one wrote.
“I’m so sorry,” added another.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. I was in Split this summer and luckily nothing like this happened to me, but a lot of people were quick to judge you and stare at you,” wrote a third.
Mr Liu uploaded another TikTok video last Sunday and claimed that the man who beat his partner has already been charged.
He said Croatian police are now in contact with his friend.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Croatian police for comment.
