Shark forces beach closure in Spain: Lifeguards hoist red flag after spotting seven foot creature in the water

BEACHGOERS have been banned from swimming at a popular Menorca resort after a shark sighting. 

The seven-foot blue shark was spotted with its fin pointing out of the water at Arenal d’en Castell beach around 3:30pm on Monday, May 7.

Although the Ajuntament des Mercadal has made no official comment, it is thought the ban has now been lifted. 

It is the first sighting of the year at the beach, where a shark was spotted in June 2018. 

READ MORE: ‘Shark’ sighting off Spain’s Valencia coast forces beach to close – before experts discover it was just a big fish

Shark sightings are not uncommon off the coast of Menorca.

Blue sharks are the most common species in Spain and are often the motivation for beach closures. 

They rarely bite humans but have been involved in several biting incidents, four of which ended in fatalities.  

READ MORE: Blue shark bites swimmer in leg forcing bathing ban at beaches in Spain’s Valencia area

Last year, holidaymakers ran out of the sea in Torremolinos, Malaga after a shark fin was spotted. 

Meanwhile in 2016, a tourist in Elche, Alicante suffered a ‘large’ bite to his hand after he was attacked by a blue shark.

READ MORE: Spain rails at the British media once again for scare stories after sharks sighted at popular resorts

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