On beaches in Spanish Tamarit and Altafulla, located on the country’s east coast, red flags have been flying for some time. This means that there is a ban on swimming on the beaches.
DO NOT MISS: Bacterial shock after rain – advice against bathing
Beach in Tamarit. Photo: Stella Pictures
READ MORE: The tourist destination where you can get a beer – absolutely free
The pufferfish has been seen on the Spanish east coast
The background to the ban is, according to the British Mirror, that several reports have been received that the blowman, also called Portuguese man of war, has been seen in the water at the beaches.
The species is one of the world’s most poisonous and has tentacles equipped with cells that carry a strong nerve poison.
The blow jellyfish. Photo: Stella Pictures
A jellyfish sting is rarely fatal in itself. However, it can lead to unconsciousness, breathing problems and subsequent drowning, and the species is therefore considered potentially life-threatening to humans.
– There have been no recorded deaths due to their stings in Spain, but there have been in Sicily and Sardinia. The beaches must be closed if a single Portuguese man-of-war is seen, says the marine biologist Jose Maria Gili previously said according to Mirror.