On Monday evening around 6.30, a red flag was flying at the beach in Playa de Muro. A man, said to be aged around 30, decided to go for a dip, despite being warned by a lifeguard. He remained in the sea, and another lifeguard went to the scene. He continued to ignore their demands. The lifeguards had by now come to the conclusion that he had been drinking.
He then got rather more than he had probably bargained for. It just so happened that there was an off-duty Guardia Civil officer on the beach and also an off-duty National Police officer. They went to the assistance of the lifeguards and told the man to get out. He replied that he wasn't going to and that they should go away. If they didn't, there would be "problems".
Which there were. For him. The officers weren't giving up. The man gave one of them a slap. He was swiftly brought down and restrained. On-duty Guardia Civil officers and Muro police then arrived. It was the police who booked him, and he faces a possible fine of between 900 and 2,000 euros.
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I remember being in Cala Millor one October, a few years ago. It was very hot but the red flag was flying. You were not even allowed to dip your toe in the water. The lifeguards continually walked up and down the beach checking. One man dared to swim out into the waves and refused to come back to shore. The police were called and they waited for him to come out of the water. He was handcuffed and led away.
As usual a totally unpayable level of fine, no doubt second offence will lead to a 20,000€ fine! Why don't the authorities settles for small fines that get paid rather than large fines that will hardly ever get paid. It all makes zero economic sense. But hey we're in spain where the mantra is if you aren't making enough then double your prices! And we wonder why spain is an economic disaster zone begging for money from the Northern states of the eu.
Yeah right, so if a tourist goes into the sea while a Red flag is flying, you simply fine them 2000 €. Will this be the same as all the other by-laws that tourists flaunt every day, - and will it be the same control as the scooters without helmets etc ? Could you let me know what you're smoking please...
Excellent enforcement of the law. Spreading this story will have a great impact on ensuring people must follow the rules when in Spain. If they get into problems in the sea it will be down to others to risk their lives to try to save them. If only similar action could be taken against the anti-social parties and botellons.