The City Council of Cartagena have issued an ordinance to issue fines of up to 3.000 euro to bathers who ignore the red warning flags on the beaches in the area.

A municipal spokesman said that this measure, which was also applied last summer, aims to deter bathers from getting into the water when the weather conditions are not favorable to safe swimming.

The mayor of Cartagena, Pilar Barreiro, said last week that people who go into the sea when circumstances are not recommended put their own lives at risk as well as the lives of rescuers.

Civil Protection warns of the importance of following the directions of lifeguards and not entering the water when the red flag is flying, and observing every precaution with the yellow flag.