Southwest France Beaches Shut Down.. Portuguese Warships Spark Urgent Alert for Belgians

Southwest France Beaches Closed as Portuguese Warships Alert Belgians

Portuguese Man o’ War stings have surged on France’s Soustons beach, causing painful injuries and temporary closures—why are these tropical creatures now appearing near Belgium?

Marie Dupont5 August 2025Last Update : 3 weeks ago

Stranden in het zuidwesten van Frankrijk moeten sluiten door Portugese oorlogsschepen

www.nieuwsblad.be

Portuguese man o’ war sightings have surged along the beaches of southwestern France, raising concerns for European holidaymakers. Since mid-July, lifeguards at Soustons beach have reported around fifteen stings daily from this blue and white marine creature. On 25 July, the beach briefly closed to allow for safe removal of the Portuguese man o’ war, letting visitors resume their seaside enjoyment.

6 Key Takeaways

Redders registreren dagelijks vijftien beten
Portugese Oorlogsschepen veroorzaken pijn en jeuk
Tentakels breken af en drijven weg
Stranden sluiten door massale aanwezigheid
Soort verspreidt zich naar zuid-Europa
Intacte tentakels blijven irriterend na dood

Despite its jellyfish-like appearance, the Portuguese man o’ war is actually a colony of polyps with long, venomous tentacles that can reach up to 40 metres. The Antipoison Centre warns that these tentacles can cause severe pain, skin irritation, and even systemic symptoms. As of 2025-08-05 08:10:00, the presence of this species is becoming more frequent in southern European waters, prompting questions about its potential spread to nearby regions, including Belgium’s coastal areas.

Could these stinging creatures soon appear along the Belgian coast? And how should swimmers protect themselves? Here’s what you need to know.

Fast Answer: Portuguese man o’ war stings are increasing in southern Europe, but sightings remain rare in Belgian waters. Swimmers should stay alert, especially during summer, and avoid contact with unfamiliar marine life on beaches.

Why is the Portuguese man o’ war appearing more often in European waters? Climate changes and shifting sea currents may be factors. This raises important considerations for beach safety:

The Portuguese man o’ war’s tentacles deliver painful stings that can cause blisters and systemic symptoms.
They float on the surface, making them hard to spot, and their tentacles can detach and drift with currents.
Recent beach closures in France highlight the need for vigilance and quick response by lifeguards.
Belgium’s cooler North Sea typically deters these creatures, but isolated sightings have occurred, so awareness is key.

While the Portuguese man o’ war is not common in Belgian waters, occasional sightings have been reported, so local authorities monitor marine hazards to keep beachgoers safe.

As summer continues, Belgian beach visitors should stay informed about marine warnings and respect local safety guidelines. Could increased monitoring and public awareness prevent painful encounters? Staying cautious and prepared is the best way to enjoy the coast safely.