Hundreds of tourists stung

A FLOTILLA of almost undetectable jellyfish has invaded the beaches of Spain, stinging hundreds of swimmers in days, tourists have been warned.

Thousands of the sea jellies have congregated on the beaches of the Costa Blanca, one of the country’s most popular vacation hotspots, stinging 700 people since Sunday. On an average day only four or five people would fall victim to the creatures.  The invading invertebrates are even more dangerous because they are transparent – prompting authorities in some areas to raise the red flag to stop swimmers entering the waters.

“In the five or six years I have been in this job I have never seen anything like this,” said Juan Carlos, of the Elche tourism department.  Experts also blamed over-fishing, which has cut stocks of tuna and swordfish, which are predators of jellyfish.

Last month a giant dead jellyfish was responsible for 150 US beachgoers being stung on a beach in New Hampshire, near Boston.