KILLER JELLYFISH ON THE BEACH
SWARMS of deadly Portuguese man o’war jellyfish are washing up on British beaches.
They have been tossed onto the nation’s shores by huge swells triggered as Hurricane Ophelia speeds across the Atlantic Ocean.
The “floating terrors”, which have venomous tentacles up to 30m long, are usually found in warmer waters to the south of Britain.
But the recent monster hurricanes in the Atlantic have sent them towards our shores.
Fishermen, surfers and swimmers have spotted them off Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Wales.
Swimmers and beach visitors have been told to watch out for them.
The tentacles brand the skin with deep red welts.
The first person to die as a result of their sting in Europe was reported near Sardinia in 2010.
The creatures lurk below the surface and just one sting can leave a swimmer in agony and even kill a small child.
A Sea Trust Wales expert said: “Children need to be made aware that these animals are capable of giving an extremely powerful sting.
“Dog owners need to keep their pets well away too.
“Surfers will also be vulnerable wherever exposed skin such as their faces may come into contact with tentacles.”
Dr Peter Richardson, of the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Because a stranded man o’war looks a bit like a deflating purple balloon with blue ribbons attached, children will find it fascinating, but the stings can be unbelievably painful and, in rare cases, fatal.”