Warning for Irish tourists as 'black alert' issued for Lanzarote holiday spot
Popular Lanzarote beach issued with black flag over 'sewer discharges'
Irish tourists are being warned that Lanzarote's most popular beaches has been given a black flag this year, with "sewage discharges" listed as the primary reason for this designation.
Playa Blanca, a popular tourist spot near Papagayo in Lanzarote, has received a black flag from Ecologistas en Accion due to significant environmental concerns.
The group, a Spanish grassroots confederation of 300 ecological groups, has been highlighting environmental mismanagement in Spain since 2005.
They have listed Playa Blanca among 48 beaches given a black flag this year, citing "sewage discharges" as the primary reason for this designation.
The beach was closed earlier this year for repairs after the sewage issue, with a red flag and restricted access during the cleanup.
Ecologistas en Accion have stressed the need to address issues such as the improper disposal of wet wipes and nappies, and said the beach needs to rectify inadequate sewage treatment, and insufficient oversight of wastewater systems, which are destroying the region's coastal areas.
Beaches in other popular tourist destinations such as Malaga, Costa del Sol, Ibiza and Tenerife have also been included in Ecologistas en Accion's report.