Nine beaches in Kent closed after sewage leak: Tourists told to stay out of water
Holidaymakers have been told to stay out of the water at nine beaches in Kent after heavy rain caused sewage to spill into the sea.
Tourists have been told not to the enter the sea below the high water mark and signs have been erected to warn bathers of the dangers.
The affected beaches are: Walpole Bay, Palm Bay, Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay, Joss Bay, Stone Bay, Viking Bay, Louisa Bay and Dumpton Gap.
All the beaches are popular with tourists visiting the nearby seaside towns of Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a Thanet council spokesman said: "We are working with the Environment Agency to reduce the impact of the spillages as much as possible and water sample tests will be carried out in the areas affected today to assess the quality of the water. Southern Water have contractors out clearing the waterline.
"The council is keen to reassure members of the public that other beaches across the district are fully open and will advise if the area affected extends to any other beaches."
Although holidaymakers are warned not to swim, the rest of the beach is still open.
The news comes just a couple of months after raw sewage was released into the sea off the Thanet coast in Kent after a month's rainfall fell in one night in May.
According to the BBC, Southern Water said the emergency discharge from Foreness Point pumping station in Margate was to protect homes in the area from flooding.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers in the South of France and Corsica have been warned after a number of blue sharks have been spotted near the coast over the past few days.
Swimming was reportedly banned at several popular beaches on France's Mediterranean coast over the weekend as sharks up to five and a half feet swam close to shore.
On Monday, French authorities said swimming could resume, but warned beachgoers to exercise caution.
And the ones to watch out for:
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