Latest news with #Majorca
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Majorca beach evacuated after elderly swimmer attacked by savage fish
A popular beach in the Spanish island of Majorca has been evacuated after an animal, initially thought to be a shark, ravaged a tourist's leg. An Italian woman, 85, rushed out of the water with a bloody gash on her left calf at Palma beach around 11.30am local time on Tuesday, local media reported. Two ambulances swiftly arrived and treated the woman at the scene, before she was rushed to a private clinic with skin loss and a severe wound. The incident took place at the Balneario 6 section of the beach. Police said her muscle tissue was not harmed but her skin had been ripped off. Lifeguards evacuated the beach and conducted a deep search to find the responsible animal using boats. Local environmental councillors supported the search, local media said. The animal was not found so lifeguards restored the green flag about an hour later. Initial reports suggested a shark was responsible but analysis of the bite, which had no teeth marks, suggested it was a bluefish instead. 'Our hypothesis is that the attack may have been caused by a bluefish,' marine biodiversity expert Aniol Esteban told local press based off photos. The bluefish is a large and predatory fish with a powerful jaw. It is often found in the Mediterranean during hotter months. The species is not known to regularly attack humans but it can be aggressive when it is feeding or feels threatened. Environmental changes and increasing water temperatures are also believed to push some marine species closer to the shore. Experts have also suggested a triggerfish could have been responsible. Triggerfish have an aggressive bite and are increasingly prevalent in Balearic shores. It comes after a man died after a shark attack off the Mediterranean coast of Israel in April. The remains, discovered after a two-day search, were identified as those of the victim, whom Israeli media named as Barak Tzach, a man in his 40s and a father of four. The number of shark bites recorded around the world last year is markedly down from 2023, according to The Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File database. In 2024, there were only 47 unprovoked attacks, down by 22 from the previous year and well below the 10-year average of 67.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Brit tourists warned of travel chaos on Spanish island with union set to bring airport 'to a standstill' as summer holidays get underway
British holidaymakers flying in or out of Majorca this Friday are being urged to brace for travel disruption as furious ground staff threaten to ' paralyse' Palma's airport during the busy summer getaway. The protest, scheduled for July 25 between 8am and 12pm, coincides with the start of a Bank Holiday weekend in Spain and could spark chaos for thousands of passengers. Union leaders say they are fed up with poor working conditions and claim they are being 'suffocated' by a crisis gripping the aviation sector in the Balearic Islands. In a fiery statement, workers warned that unless Spanish airport authority Aena steps in immediately, they will 'raise the tone of the protest' with industrial action designed to bring Son Sant Joan airport to a 'standstill'. Their key demand is the creation of a joint task force made up of Aena, the regional government and union representatives to find solutions to what they describe as years of abuse and neglect. The UGT union has accused airport service firms of breaching labour rights and creating 'inhumane' shifts that make work-life balance impossible. They say many staff are forced to accept 'basic contracts of less than 30 hours' while being expected to do 'countless hours of overtime without any control.' Their demands include the proper scheduling of holidays, clearer pathways for professional development, and the employment of qualified staff for supervisory and driving duties so others are not pushed to breaking point. The union has also asked for improved working equipment to protect staff from the scorching heat, new uniforms, and raincoats for when there's a downpour. Additionally, they want free parking for employees and a canteen with affordable food. UGT has accused Swissport, Groundforce, Menzies, easyJet, Pasarelas, Eurowings, PMR's, Jet2, Ryanair and South of 'exploitation.' Bosses have also been condemned over 'endless and painful' construction work at the airport, which union officials say is 'damaging' workers' health and putting their safety at risk. They have warned that companies are refusing to engage with their concerns and are 'undermining' the union's ability to represent staff.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood says she hopes to retire in two years to travel Europe with her husband
She has long been a familiar face on TV channels, bringing news of the weather to homes across the country. However, presenter Carol Kirkwood has revealed she hopes to retire in as little as two years so she can drive off into the sunset with her policeman husband. The 63-year-old has been a fixture at the BBC for 27 years but has said she is planning a change of scene for her and partner Steve Randall, 49, when she turns 65. Discussing her retirement hopes, Ms Kirkwood, who is also a published author, said: 'We fell in love with Majorca, which is where we went so I could research my fifth novel, Meet Me at Sunset, about a woman running away from a shattered love affair. 'Steve and I plan to escape and travel for some time when we retire, perhaps in a year or two. 'We'll travel in a camper van or get in the car, cross over to France and then just drive.' Ms Kirkwood, from Morar, Lochaber, was married to property developer Jimmy Kirkwood but the pair split in 2008 after 18 years of marriage, with the divorce finalised in 2012. She recently made a cheeky comment when asked about her second marriage, telling one newspaper: 'Love is lovelier the second time around. No disrespect to my first husband, but this is better.' Ms Kirkwood, who was on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, began her career at the BBC as a secretary before cross training with the Met Office and joining BBC News in 1998. She appears regularly across all of BBC Weather's output on both radio and TV and is the main weather presenter on BBC Breakfast. The TV star, who is 14 years older than her husband, also spoke about the age gap in her relationship, stating it makes no difference to her. She told Saga Magazine: 'Steve is 50 this year. Other people's opinions about an age gap don't matter - I don't feel he is younger than me.' She also said she believes that meeting him was fate. She said: 'We were at a function neither of us wanted to go to. It was a Sliding Doors moment - if I hadn't gone, we would never have met.' Discussing her relationship in another interview, Ms Kirkwood had said: 'Love is lovelier the second time around. 'The wedding was the most perfect day. Storm Gerrit was raging outside and we didn't even notice. 'It was about us getting married rather than having a big, fancy wedding. We had no guests and wrote our own vows. 'When you are older, you know more what you want.'
The Sun
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Love Island star rushed to hospital from villa after nasty accident
LOVE Island star Jamie Rhodes was rushed to hospital in Majorca after suffering a painful accident in the villa. Filming was plunged into chaos after the Casa Amor bombshell, who is coupled up with Yasmin Pettet, was whisked to A&E on the Spanish island. 5 5 Love Island bosses feared the 26-year-old handy man from Barking would be spotted outside the villa after the dramatic moment. A source told The Sun: 'Jamie was taken to hospital after an accident in the villa. 'He stepped on a screw in the garden and after chatting to the villa medics they made the decision to take him to hospital. 'Filming was briefly paused and everyone was really worried as it's quite rare anyone gets taken out of the villa. 'But after the garden was searched for any more loose screws Jamie returned all bandaged up. 'He was fine to walk - bosses were worried he'd be seen out of the villa and exposed to the outside world but it was actually fine.' The electrical engineer has since returned to filming and will be seen parting in the show's first ever Love Island Festival on the ITV2 show tonight. When entering the Casa Amor villa, Jamie only had eyes for villa favourite Yasmin. They hit it off, and are now one of the favourites to win the show, according to the bookies. Fellow bombshell Yasmin, from London, entered the show in episode five and quickly won a legion of fans for standing up to the boys for playing them at their own game. She became known as YasGPT thanks to her calm but direct attitude and perfect posture. It is heavily speculated that the official Love Island live final will be on Monday August 4, which means fans have around three weeks until the series reaches its climax. But Maya Jama is returning to the villa tonight and not everyone will be pleased to see her, as she will be telling the cast that THREE people are being dumped. Viewers will watch as she tells the Islanders the public have been voting for their favourite couple - which will mean a pair will go home. However, there is a twist as a third person will also be axed which leaves the villa horrified and in tears. The Sun revealed earlier today that the trio includes a girl who has been involved in a lot of villa drama. A source said: 'Love Island fans know a dumping usually follows a favourite couple vote and it often happens during format points like themed parties - so there's no surprise in that. 'But the fact a third islander got the boot is a real shock twist and it left the cast horrified and in tears. 'They thought the cull was over after a couple were shown the door. 'The trio includes a girl who has been a big part of this year's most dramatic moments.' 5 5
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Shark attack fears off Majorca holiday beach as tourist limps from water with bloody leg wound sparking red flag warning
BATHERS have been ordered out of the sea at a Majorcan beach after a tourist suffered a leg wound at the hands of a mystery creature. Lifeguards raised a red flag and warned over a loudspeaker in in English: 'Swimming is forbidden in the area for a shark attack, shark attack." 1 More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
