Lanzarote issues rare 'black alert', with Irish tourists warned about travel to holiday hotspot
One of Lanzarote's most popular beaches is among 48 given a black flag this year, with "sewage discharges" listed as the primary reason for this designation
Lanzarote has issued a rare "black alert" for tourists and holidaymakers. The holiday hotspot has issued the rare warning for holidaymakers at one of the most popular beaches on the well-known Canary Island.
Playa Blanca in Lanzarote has received a black flag from Ecologistas en Accion due to significant environmental concerns. The beach, located near Papagayo, is known for its turquoise waters, golden sand and vibrant tourist infrastructure.
Ecologistas en Accion's annual report, which has been highlighting environmental mismanagement in Spain since 2005, lists Playa Blanca among the 48 beaches given a black flag this year. The report goes on and cites "sewage discharges" as the primary reason for this designation.
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Playa Blanca beach was closed from May 4 for repairs after the sewage issue, with a red flag and restricted access during the cleanup. The association stressed the need to address issues such as the improper disposal of wet wipes and nappies.
It also wants the beach to rectify inadequate sewage treatment, and insufficient oversight of wastewater systems, which are destroying the region's coastal areas. 48 beaches have been given black flags in this year's annual report, including those in destinations such as Malaga and Costa del Sol and some on the Spanish islands of Ibiza, Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Of the 48 beaches listed, 15 were suffering from overdevelopment near the coastline and 16 were said to have insufficient management of wastewater, meaning pollutants and contaminants and not effectively removed from the ocean.
Other reasons beaches have been named in the report are chemical pollution, noise pollution, industrial damage and marine waste. The ecologists also claimed that two hotels in Fuerteventura have been built in a protected area.
Lanzarote is traditionally a go-to destination for Irish holidaymakers alongside other Canaries hotspots such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
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