Holidaymakers have been warned to stay clear of a deadly creature that’s washed up on a beach in Wales, with the coastguard warning people to remain vigilant. Several of the potentially lethal sea creatures have been spotted on a public beach near the Welsh steel town of Port Talbot.
A number of Portuguese Man O’ War have been spotted on the beach, with earlier sightings further down the Welsh coastline of Pembrokeshire, as well as in Gwynedd and Anglesey.
On social media one local resident commented that they “scare the bejesus” out of them.
The coastguard said: “Do not touch these creatures, even if they appear dead, as their tentacles can still deliver a painful sting.”
Whilst commonly mistaken for jellyfish due to their appearance, the Man O’ War can deliver a painful sting, which can lead to welts, blisters and complications for the victims’ heart and lungs. There have even been cases of allergic reactions to the deadly venom, which can still cause harm even after the Man O’ War has died.
Tentacles, which can reach up to 100 feet in length, must urgently be detached after the affected area is washed out with seawater, authorities advise. In 1987 one man died off the Florida coast after being caught in a Man O’ Wars sting. He died after a cardiovascular collapse, despite receiving first aid at the beach.
But a spokesperson for the Port Talbot Coastguard issued helpful advice to those stung, saying to “rinse the affected area with seawater – not fresh water – and carefully remove any tentacles using a credit card or similar object.”
They added not to touch the creatures, and to “immerse the area in water as hot as can be tolerated for at least 30 minutes to help neutralise toxins, and seek medical advice by contacting HM Coastguard or a doctor.”
Aberavon beachfront is a three-mile wide area known locally as Aberavon Sands, and is popular with local surfers. It hosts a slew of hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants, and attracts many tourists.
The Coastguard has confirmed that they will remove the dangerous creatures from the beach.
