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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourists warning as 45C temps in Spain hotspots prompt RED weather alerts
Irish tourists have been warned about extreme temperatures in some of Spain's tourist hotspots after a series of red weather alerts were issued on Sunday. The official Spanish meteorological service, AEMET, has issued red alerts to 19 areas across the country, including areas such as Andalusia, Catalonia and Valencia, with popular locations such as Alicante, Cadiz, Girona and Seville also affected. Maximum temperatures in areas affected by the red alerts are expected to reach between 40 and 45C on Sunday between the hours of 11am and 9pm. Elsewhere in Spain, areas such as Madrid and the Balearic Islands have been issued with orange alerts, with temperatures in parts of Ibiza and Majorca set to reach 42C. The affected 19 areas issued with red alerts have been classified as having 'extreme risk', which applies to 'unusual weather events of exceptional intensity and with a very high level of risk to the population'. Red weather alerts have been issued to multiple areas in Spain (Image: AEMET) In these circumstances, people in affected areas are urged to 'take preventative measures and act', to follow the instructions of local authorities, avoid unnecessary travel and constantly check weather updates. The alerts come after a rare 'black flag' warning was issued to tourists visiting La Gracios in the Canary Islands last week. La Graciosa, a volcanic island, sits approximately 1.2 miles north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río. Similar to other Canary Islands, it was created by the Canary hotspot - a plume of exceptionally hot magma within the Earth's mantle. The Spanish territory has been characterised as one of Europe's final destinations without tarmacked roads and amongst the least discovered and most tranquil of the Canary Islands. The island forms a volcanic massif sculpted by molten ash and lava, contributing to its striking landscape. Playa de Caleta de Sebo, the "town beach" of La Graciosa's capital, alongside Playa de la Francesa, situated slightly further down the coastline, featured on the yearly Black Flag catalogue released by environmental organisation Ecologistas en Acción (Ecologists in Action). Ecologistas en Acción's yearly assessment, which has been exposing environmental mismanagement across Spain since 2005, catalogues the beaches awarded a black flag this year. According to Ecologists in Action, the beach at Caleta de Sebo remains in a "poor state of conservation", with debris from vessels, beachgoers and eateries adding to contamination. At Playa de la Francesa, locals highlight concerns about catamaran excursions descending upon the location "holding parties, meals, games, and contests with loud music and leaving waste behind on the sand and in the water". Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Rare 'black alert' issued for Canary Islands as tourists warned to stay away
Two beaches on La Graciosa, in the Canary Islands, have been given a black flag by an environmental group which is blaming mass tourism for causing so much pollution A Spanish holiday hotspot has been given two black flags for pollution by an environmental group which is blaming the amount of tourism. Many Brits are among the millions of tourists that head to the Canary Islands each year and as well as the larger Tenerife or Lanzarote many also visit the La Graciosa. It has become increasingly popular having been viewed as less spoilt but now two of its beaches have been given a black flag for being so dirty. La Graciosa, located two kilometres north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río, has had the two beaches listed by Ecologistas en Accion (Ecologists in Action) which gives a list of the dirtiest locations along the Spanish coast each year. It has given black flags to Playa de Caleta de Sebo, which is the most populated area of the island as well as Playa de la Francesa, a little further along the coast. Ecologistas en Acción's annual report has been highlighting environmental mismanagement in Spain since 2005. And it focused on tourism for the environmental problems facing La Graciosa saying that there are only 720 residents and yet it sees 300,000 people visit a year. According to the environmental group, the beach in Caleta de Sebo is in a 'poor state of conservation', with waste from private boats and ferries arriving at the port, beach users and restaurants contributing to pollution. "The increase in the number of boats, waste, and activities pollute the beach," the organisation stated. At Playa de la Francesa they have warned about "boats with tourists that come, generating noise, feeding seagulls and fish, and leaving excrement and toilet paper". It is the second time this beach has been given a black flag as it was also put on the list in 2023 Specifically about the catamaran tours that arrive at the beach, the environment group says they 'hold parties, meals, games, and contests with loud music and leaving waste behind on the sand and in the water.' It comes as locals on the Canary Islands as well as other holiday hotspots in Spain have been complaining and holding protests at what they see as too much tourism. But it seems the threat of protests and a lukewarm reception have not been enough to deter holidaymakers from the Canary Islands. In June 2025, the Islands recorded their highest-ever number of international visitors, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The total number of international arrivals rose to 7.84 million in June, an increase of 4% compared to the same period last year. The tourist arrivals also increased spending on the Islands, with international visitors contributing €1.56 billion (£1.35bn) to the local economy in June, nearly 8.5% more than last year.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Canary Islands issue rare 'black alert' for British tourists at popular holiday beach
Canary Islands issue rare 'black alert' for British tourists at popular holiday beach The European Union holiday hotspot has issued the rare warning for British holidaymakers at one of the most popular beaches on the popular La Graciosa which is just off Lanzarote The Island of La Graciosa is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits heading to Canary Islands (Image: Iñigo Fdz de Pinedo via Getty Images) A Canary Islands destination has issued a rare "black alert" for UK tourists and holidaymakers. The European Union holiday hotspot has issued the uncommon warning for British visitors at one of the most sought-after beaches on the popular La Graciosa. The latest warning comes after Brits were recently warned with a man facing up to a €200,000 fine for breaking a little-known rule about drone use in Spain. However this is not the only warning issued to UK tourists this season. UK tourists have also previously been warned to check their travel insurance policy before travelling as 12 Spanish airports are facing strikes. Graciosa Island, or more commonly La Graciosa, is a volcanic island in the Canary Islands of Spain, situated two kilometres north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The environmental organisation has released its yearly Black Flag list for Spain. Featured on this year's list is the Playa de Caleta de Sebo, the "town beach" of La Graciosa's capital, alongside the Playa de la Francesa, positioned a little further along the coastline. Article continues below Ecologistas en Acción's yearly report, which has been spotlighting environmental mismanagement in Spain since 2005, catalogues the beaches awarded a black flag this year. According to Ecologists in Action, the beach in Caleta de Sebo is in a "poor state of conservation" with rubbish from vessels, beachgoers, and eateries adding to contamination, reports BirminghamLive. At Playa de la Francesa they caution of the issue of catamaran excursions that arrive at the location "holding parties, meals, games, and contests with loud music and leaving waste behind on the sand and in the water". They allege that catamaran passengers toss chicken scraps to birds, primarily seagulls, which can strike the hulls of the boats while attempting to catch them, and discard leftover rice into the sea to feed the fish. Lanzarote, along with other Canary Islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria, is a popular destination for British tourists. However last year Playa Blanca town beach was given a black flag by Ecologists in Action due to incidents of sewage leaks. Article continues below Despite this Playa Blanca remains one of only two Lanzarote beaches to retain its Blue Flag status this year.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rare 'black alert' issued for Canary Island as tourists told to 'stay away'
Irish holidaymakers heading to a Canary Island this summer have been alerted about a rare 'black flag' warning. The uncommon alert has been issued to tourists visiting the island of La Graciosa. La Graciosa, a volcanic island in Spain's Canary Islands, sits approximately 1.2 miles north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río. Similar to other Canary Islands, it was created by the Canary hotspot - a plume of exceptionally hot magma within the Earth's mantle. The Spanish territory has been characterised as one of Europe's final destinations without tarmacked roads and amongst the least discovered and most tranquil of the Canary Islands. The island forms a volcanic massif sculpted by molten ash and lava, contributing to its striking landscape. According to Birmingham Live, the environmental organisation has released its yearly Black Flag catalogue for Spain. Featured on this year's catalogue is Playa de Caleta de Sebo, the "town beach" of La Graciosa's capital, alongside Playa de la Francesa, situated slightly further down the coastline, reports the Daily Record. Ecologistas en Acción's yearly assessment, which has been exposing environmental mismanagement across Spain since 2005, catalogues the beaches awarded a black flag this year. According to Ecologists in Action, the beach at Caleta de Sebo remains in a "poor state of conservation", with debris from vessels, beachgoers and eateries adding to contamination. At Playa de la Francesa, locals highlight concerns about catamaran excursions descending upon the location "holding parties, meals, games, and contests with loud music and leaving waste behind on the sand and in the water." They allege that catamaran visitors hurl chicken remnants to birds, predominantly gulls, which can strike the vessels' hulls whilst attempting to catch them and discard surplus rice into the ocean to nourish the fish. Nevertheless, La Graciosa also boasts a collection of pristine sandy shores, including Playa de la Cocina, which sits at the base of the Montaña Amarilla volcano. Regarding pursuits to be savoured in the magnificent sunshine, La Graciosa offers everything, including thrilling maritime excursions, scuba diving, off-road adventures and even a trip to Chinijo Museum in Caleta de Sebo, all receiving rave reviews. To access this island treasure, visitors must board a ferry from Lanzarote with multiple sailings daily that last approximately 25 minutes. Lanzarote remains a favourite amongst Irish travellers alongside other Canary Islands destinations such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Last year, Ecologists in Action bestowed a black flag upon Playa Blanca town beach following episodes of sewage spillages. Playa Blanca represents one of merely two Lanzarote shores which maintained its Blue Flag this year. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
