Brits on holiday on Spain’s Costa Blanca have been warned of ‘blue dragons’, which have a potentially deadly sting and have led to tourists being barred from entering the sea in places
Tourists have been banned from going into the water along an entire seven-mile stretch of Spain’s Costa Blanca because of rare sea creatures with a sting that can kill.
Reg flags went up on beaches in the municipality of Guardamar del Segura just north of Torrevieja following the appearance of so-called blue dragons, which have been branded “the most beautiful killer in the ocean”. The sea slug, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, feeds on the deadly Portuguese man o’ war and other venomous sea beasts.
The dazzling blue creature absorbs the stinging cells from its food and stores them in concentrated doses, giving it a far more potent sting than its prey. Typical symptoms of the blue dragon’s sting include nausea, pain, vomiting and acute allergic contact dermatitis.
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Guardamar del Segura’s mayor Jose Luis Saez, confirming the sea ban order yesterday which he indicated would remain in place until further notice, said on his official X account: “Red flag on the beaches of Guardamar.
“Bathing is prohibited following the appearance on Vivers Beach of two specimens of Glaucus atlanticus, known as the Blue Dragon.
“We remind people that despite its bright and striking colour and its small 1.5 inch size, they should stay away from this animal because of its sting.
“Guardamar del Segura Town Hall has launched a preventive operation to detect possible specimens carried by ocean currents. Town hall workers are closely following the evolution of the situation and will inform people about the different measures to be taken.
“If you see one of these creatures don’t touch it, even with gloves on, alert lifeguards and other authorities. If you get stung, wash the area affected with salt water and head to your nearest first aid point or health centre.
“These creatures are poisonous and their stings can cause nausea, pain and vomiting. For the time being and until further notice, bathing in the sea is prohibited.”
Vivers Beach, a natural stretch of coast south of the Segura River and north of La Babilonia Beach, was said to be full of people yesterday although less people than normal were in the sea, defying the bathing ban order and risking heavy fines.
Lifeguards with loudhailers are expected to remind tourists and locals today about the prohibition according to local reports, although sunseekers will still be allowed to head to beaches if they don’t take a dip in the sea.
Red flags went up at Santa Barbara beach in La Linea de la Concepcion near Gibraltar on Sunday after police received an emergency call about a blue dragon sighting and six were later found on the shoreline. It was reopened to bathers the following day, with a yellow warning flag up instead of the red one.