Latest news with #blue dragons
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Beaches closed after discovery of venomous sea creature
All the beaches in the town of Guardamar del Segura, in Alicante on the Costa Blanca, were temporarily closed after venomous blue dragons (Glaucus atlanticus) washed ashore. The closures occurred on Wednesday due to the potential danger posed by the sea creatures, which can inflict painful stings causing burns, nausea, and vomiting. Despite their small size, these blue-striped creatures are known to prey on the highly venomous Portuguese man o' war. The beaches reopened on Thursday, 21 August, but a yellow flag indicating a moderate hazard remained, and visitors were urged to exercise caution and avoid contact with the blue dragons. Local authorities advised anyone encountering a blue dragon not to touch it, to notify rescuers, and to seek immediate medical attention if stung.
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Tourists BANNED from swimming on Costa Blanca over swarms of killer ‘blue dragons' – that even prey on deadly Man O' War
TOURISTS have been banned from the waters of a long stretch of Spain's Costa Blanca due to an invasion of venomous and bizarre 'blue dragons'. Categorised as a sea slug, the deadly creatures are dubbed "the most beautiful killer in the ocean". 6 6 6 The mysterious and rarely spotted blue seabeast - also known as the blue angel with wings like a dragon - is just over an inch long. But it has a sting as powerful as the much larger Portuguese Man O' War – and preys on them too. The creatures absorb their prey's venom - concentrating it at the end of their finger-like extremities to ward off attackers. Although they look like mini Pokemon, the beasts even can turn cannibalistic - sometimes eating each other in captivity. To protect swimmers on this popular stretch of coastline in Spain, red flags have been put up and lifeguards are voicing warnings with loudhailers. Reg flags went up on beaches in Guardamar del Segura just north of Torrevieja following the appearance of the blue dragons. And tourists who defy the bathing ban order risk hefty fines. Guardamar del Segura's mayor Jose Luis Saez, confirmed the sea ban order yesterday on X. He indicated that it would remain in place until further notice: '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.' Travellers are warned not to touch the blue dragon. Typical symptoms of the shiny blue dragon's sting include nausea, pain, vomiting and acute allergic contact dermatitis. He added: 'We remind people that despite its bright and striking colour and it's small 1.5 inch size, they should stay away from this animal because of its sting. 'Guardamar del Segura Town Hall has 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.' 6 Sunbathers will still be allowed to head to soak up some rays 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. Police had received an emergency call about a blue dragon sighting and six were later found scattered across the shoreline. The beach was reopened to bathers the following day, with a yellow warning flag up instead of the red one. Blue dragons wash up across the world, from Spain to Australia. In Sydney in 2018, experts warned people not to touch the mini monsters after large numbers swarmed the coast. The Playa del Cura in Gran Canaria was carpeted by tens of thousands of the squidgy By-wind-sailor jellyfish.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning to Brit tourists as seven-mile stretch of Costa Blanca coast is closed to swimmers after invasion of sea creatures with potentially-fatal sting
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 potentially-fatal sting. 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 beatiful killer in the ocean.' The sea slug, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, feeds on the deadly Portuguese man o' war and other venomous seabeasts. The dazzling blue creatures 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. 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.' He added: 'We remind people that despite its bright and striking colour and it's small 1.5 inch size, they should stay away from this animal because of its sting. 'Guardamar del Segura Town Hall has 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. The dazzling blue creatures 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 Lifeguards with loudhailers were expected to remind tourists and locals today about the prohibition according to local reports, although sunseekers will still be allowed to head to beaches even 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. This is not the first time dangerous sea creatures have caused swimmers to be banned from the water in Costa Blanca. In 2018, bathers were told to avoid the ocean after the reappearance of Portuguese Men O'War. An 11-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after being stung by one of the jellyfish-like creatures on the few beaches that remained open on some of the most popular parts of the coastline with British holidaymakers. The red flag was also hoisted at La Marina beach near Elche - where the youngster was hurt - after he was stung. Lifeguards removed the animal's tentacles from his arm but he was taken to nearby Elche Hospital after complaining of stomach and neck pain. He was discharged a few hours later after receiving treatment. Local reports said nearly 75 miles of Costa Blanca coastline had been declared off limits.
