French Riviera beaches packed with British holidaymakers have been closed for swimming after a suspected shark was spotted circling in the water. The chilling alert was issued yesterday after lifeguards patrolling in a motorboat spotted a creature measuring more than seven feet long. Don't go into the water: French lifeguards scan the shoreline in Cagnes-sur-Mer yesterday. Red for danger: A lifeguard raises the alert flag in Cagnes-sur-Mer yesterday after the mysterious creature was spotted.
As swimmers ran out of the warm Mediterranean, the scenes resembled those in the famous movie Jaws, which is about a man-eating white shark which terrorises a holiday island on the east coast of America. Laurent-du-Var, as people in boats telephoned warnings about the suspected shark, which had a large dorsal fin and a white belly. It was swimming some feet off the coast, prompting fears that it might be wounded or ill, and might start attacking holidaymakers.
But Veronique Vienet, chief veterinary officer for the area, underplayed the fears, saying that the creature might actually be a large dolphin. She pointed to the fact that there has only been one fatal shark attack in French coastal waters since the s. In July last year there was another shark scare at Antibes, but the creature turned out to be a harmeless ocean sunfish which only eats jellyfish. It is high season on the Riviera at the moment, meaning beaches are packed out, often with Britons who are enjoying the school holidays in the South of France.
They were portrayed as sinister, hugely dangerous creatures, prompting anger among conservationists and wildlife groups. Warnings: Three beaches on the French Riviera were shut down yesterday - but the ban has already been lifted this morning. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Privacy Policy Feedback. Wynne Evans is axed from Strictly live tour after 'repeated warnings about his behaviour' as BBC prepare to release statement Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh apologises after she faced furious backlash for failing to mention Jews as being victims of the Holocaust The REAL reason Phil Spencer did not attend Location, Location, Location co-host Kirstie Allsopp's top secret wedding to millionaire property tycoon Ben Anderson Pictured: Woman, 29, who died after chiropractor 'cracked her neck' in attempt to treat injury suffered at gym AMANDA PLATELL: The outrageous decision not to deport a Jamaican drug dealer shows everything wrong with our woke judicial system - and I know who's to blame Woman is unrecognisable after dropping from a size 30 to a 12 in 18 months - thanks to a s diet that could be 'better than Ozempic' How far in the red is YOUR council?
But what about the long-term risks of the jabs? Share or comment on this article: Shark alert on the French Riviera as swimming is banned. Comments 13 Share what you think. View all. Bing Site Web Enter search term: Search. Dancer has been embroiled in a kissing scandal, feud speculation and a 'wandering hand' gaffe Beauty is pain! Our guide to the hottest buys for whether you're upping your fitness game or renovating your home and how not to blow the budget!
