BLACK MARKS HAND S OFF OUR COSTAS

caused by these boat night parties, which sometimes go on until the sunrise. These kinds of celebrations not only create several environmental issues but also a number of health problems,” the group explained.

Lopez, coordinator of the ‘Black Flags report’ added that the Spanish coast has ‘several serious problems’ that are mainly caused by mass tourism.

“Beach destinations double their population during the holiday season and consequently, what were once unspoilt natural areas become nothing more than a lineup of hotels and holiday homes. He insisted: “This overpopulation leads to the destruction of the coast as the collapse of water sanitation gets worse and sewage flows directly into the sea.”

The green charity also ruled that the problem is far worse than people believe and the country is now at a ‘very grave risk’.

“Politicians need to take urgent measures because they are ruining the country for future generations,” continued Lopez.

“Spain has a chronic cancer as its natural areas are so devastated and polluted that, even with technological advances and investment, it will take many years until they are fully restored,” Lopez concluded.

“We only choose 48 black spots to not overwhelm the press and population but there are literally hundreds of natural spaces that are being destroyed. We need urgent measures to tackle this.”

Opinion Page 6

News In Brief

Dodgy butcher

POLICE have rescued hundreds of sheep from an unlicenced clandestine slaughterhouse in Palma.

Take care

A TOTAL of five hikers and two swimmers have been rescued by Guardia Civil helicopter in Mallorca in just a week.

Knock knock

A BURGLAR accused of committing at least 10 house robberies in Pollenca, Alcudia, Sa Pobla and Calvia has been arrested in Mallorca.

Bad resume

A FORMER restaurant worker has been arrested for allegedly forcing the entrance door of his previous workplace to steal €22,000 from a vault in Pollenca.

A GANG which specialised in mugging tourists for their luxury watches has been busted.

Police have arrested three men who would fly to Ibiza from Barcelona regularly to commit the crimes.

They are accused of five muggings in Sant Antoni de Portmany and Sant Josep de Sa Talaia.

“A man would come close to the victim and pull the watch from their wrist before fleeing the scene. They

Brit arrested after fatal ‘hit and run’ kills well known cyclist

A BRITISH driver has been arrested after a prominent Ibizan racing cyclist was killed in an alleged hit and run accident.

Bernat Ribas died when he was involved in a collision with a Jeep Wrangler at 8pm on Tuesday on the Cami de Benimussa in the Sant Josep municipality of Ibiza. Police were told that the Jeep had a British number plate and had not stayed at the scene, with officers launching a manhunt to track the driver down.

did this very quickly and efficiently” a Guardia Civil spokesman told the Olive Press

A patrol spotted the gang during one of their trips to the island, arresting them at the airport just before they boarded to head home. Agents seized four Rolexes that had been stolen a few days earlier, each one worth up to €30,000, according to the Guardia Civil.