Blue shark closes Torreguadiaro beach for five hours

(Photo: europasur.es)

SAN ROQUE / Torreguadiaro An unexpected visitor to the beach at Torreguadiaro forced the red danger flag on the beach at Torreguadiaro yesterday, and to warn of the possibility of danger from Sotogrande to Cala Sardina. The blue shark (Prionace glauca) appeared very close to shore at about 9.30, near the Sotogrande breakwater; it was a worker at one of the beach bars who later gave the alarm. While this small, 2m shark is not considered dangerous to humans, the red flag went up at about 10, and was kept there until 3 in the afternoon with no further sightings. The Seprona unit reported seeing that the shark presented an injury close to the head, possibly caused by a fishing net, and thus causing the erratic behaviour observed at the time.

Impressive photos of Torreguadiaro fire

Reader Neil French sent in these photos taken from his home in Colina del Mar. Many thanks, Neil, and we hope you and yours are safe and sound.

Five fires in the area in less than 24 hours

Man despairs at ruined garden,
Torreguadiaro yesterday
(Photo: europasur.es)

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR (Agencies) Five separate fires broke out in the are in less than 24 hours; three in San Roque and two in Algeciras. All of them were extinguished rapidly, except the major one at Torreguadiaro and one at Las Arenillas, between Sotogrande and Castellar, near the luxury development La Reserva de Sotogrande. The former was under control by 9pm last night, and the second, by  about 7.30. First estimates say that some 100 hectares were burned near Torreguadiaro, while the latter burned about a hectare of pine and cork oak forest. This one has a history of similar fires over the years, which leads to local speculation about it being intentional in order to make way for further development. There was another outbreak, though comparatively minor, at San Martín del Tesorillo>>>

Reader sends in photos of Torreguadiaro fire

Thanks to David Williams for these, and many more.

There are more below

Video of Torreguadiaro fire

Photos of the fire in Torreguadiaro

These photos came from the Picasa Web Album of El Periódico de Sotogrande. If you have any, please send them in!

The building is that of El Periódico de Sotogrande