Horrified residents in a popular British vacation destination have shared disturbing videos of apparent sewage bubbling up from the ground during heavy rainfall.
Startling visuals depict sewage pushing up a manhole cover and spilling onto the street. The heavy rain liquefied the sewage, causing it to quickly spread, turning the area a murky brown. The video, posted online on October 29, was filmed on a main road in Fuengirola, a favored spot for British tourists and expatriates on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
A local passerby remarked, “It smells terrible.” A town hall spokesperson mentioned, “We have deployed a specialized team with vehicles and personnel working throughout the city to assess and address any necessary actions. The area is under close observation, and efforts are underway to restore normalcy.”
On social media, users humorously commented on the situation, with one individual quipping, “When you lose the battle just as you’re about to reach the bathroom.” Another video, shared the same day, displayed a “faecal fountain” further along the coast in Torremolinos, another popular British vacation spot. An ankle-deep flow of sewage rushed down the street, with a spray column resembling a water feature at its center. Spain’s Andalusia region faced chaos as a severe storm brought torrential rain, tornadoes, and flash floods.
Huelva and Seville provinces bore the brunt of the storm, with Huelva receiving up to 160 liters of rain per square meter. This incident follows a previous event where eight individuals were injured in an explosion on a “tourist boat” in the Costa del Sol resort. Three of the victims sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized. The explosion occurred as the motorboat, locally referred to as a tourist boat, was leaving the marina in the Spanish town.
Footage from the scene depicted firefighters at the marina extinguishing the flames with hoses from the closest dry land point after locals on jet skis and other boats rushed to aid the distressed passengers and assist in extinguishing the fire. The explosion was reported around 12:20 pm on October 4, with witnesses contacting emergency services as a thick plume of smoke rose into the air, visible from nearby beaches. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
A fisherman in the area stated, “It was an open boat made of polyester, a dangerous combination with fuel as it burns quickly.” The boat sank due to the onboard fire. The area where the incident occurred has been cordoned off for investigation.
Fuengirola Town Hall issued a statement saying, “The Rescue and Lifesaving Service, the Fire Department, and the Local Police of Fuengirola, along with the Civil Guard, responded to a boat fire in the marina near the harbor’s entrance today. Due to reasons still under investigation, an explosion occurred, leading to the boat catching fire. The Rescue Service promptly reached the crew, ensuring their safety.
“Eight people were aboard, all sustaining injuries, with three in serious condition, receiving immediate medical attention. Following the explosion, the boat sank, prompting the Andalusian Ports Agency to monitor the situation for potential spill containment measures.”