Five beaches have been shut after three sharks were spotted off the coast of a Spanish holiday hotspot.
Swimmers were banned from going in the water after the red flag was raised at beaches in Sitges and Vilanova i la Geltrú, near Barcelona.
The beaches of Fragata, Ribera, Bassa Rodona, and Estanyol were closed at around 1pm yesterday after a mako shark was apparently spotted less than a mile from the coast.
A yellow flag, indicating a medium hazard, was flying again two hours later at 3pm.
The Sant Gervasi beach was also closed early yesterday morning due to two blue sharks.
Authorities reopened the beach at 10am after lifeguards checked the area and there were no more sightings.
The closures come days after the world's fastest shark, which can reach speeds of up to 43mph, was also seen lurking off the coast of Barcelona.
Divers spotted the great mako shark, which can grow up to 15ft long, for the first time in 10 years near the city's shoreline.
The sighting was recorded last week near the village of Garraf during an expedition of the Cetacean Association.
Members of the charity claimed they have not encountered the species on the coast over the past ten years.
Underwater photographer David Jara captured the spectacular sighting in a photograph which showed the shark's fin gliding through the Mediterranean Sea.
"We saw a large black shadow in motion. We were a bit confused," he told Spanish newspaper El Pais.
"But suddenly we saw something protruding from the sea. At first we thought it was a sunfish, but soon we noticed a dorsal fin.
"Then we approached, stopped at a safe distance and he also approached the boat. It was impressive."
Known for their speed, mako sharks can leap into the air when hooked making it a highly sought after game fish worldwide.
While its speed, power and size make it perfectly capable of killing humans, the species generally does not attack humans or treat them as prey.
Most recent attacks are considered to have been provoked due to harassment or the shark being caught on a fishing line.
