Two pools at a waterpark in Spain were forced to close after the so-called 'brown challenge' struck again, adding to more than 300 previous closures across the country.
The incident affected an area for adults and another for children at the Caribe Aquatic Park inside the PortAventura World resort on the Costa Dorada in the eastern province of Tarragona. The waterpark, popular with British and Irish holidaymakers, attracts around 5.3 million visitors per year.
Evacuation after faeces spotted
Tourists were ordered out after faeces were spotted in the water. Footage of the evacuation quickly spread on social media.
A Spanish speaker who shared photos and videos said: 'It's 4.33pm in the afternoon, and some pig has just defecated in the pool, and they've kicked us all out. This isn't AI – this is reality. If you're at Caribe Aquatic Park, you'll have seen it. We're all out of the pool.'
Staff response praised
Another swimmer affected by the closures described 'moments of tension', adding: 'Both pools, the adult one and the children's one, had to be completely evacuated after someone apparently carried out the famous "summer challenge." Luckily, the quick response of the lifeguards and all the park staff prevented the situation from getting worse.'
Criticising whoever was responsible, they asked: 'Do you really have to go this far to pull a prank? The kinds of challenges can have very serious consequences.'
Health protocols applied
Theme park officials told local media in a statement: 'The safety and well-being of our visitors is our top priority, and our team is trained and prepared to manage this type of situation with the utmost diligence and efficiency. We rigorously applied all the health protocols established by current regulations and the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT). Specifically, in the event of any detection and presence of faeces, vomit or other visible organic waste in the water, swimming is immediately prohibited until the situation is normalised after the corresponding protocol has been applied.'
The situation returned to normal following the incident on Tuesday afternoon, though unconfirmed claims on social media suggested the stunt had since been repeated. One user of the pools said: 'The incident that was reported on happened on Tuesday, but on Wednesday it occurred again. I was there that afternoon.'
An enraged local declared: 'I'd make those responsible clean the toilets with their tongues.'
Fines and surveillance
It was not immediately clear if those behind the prank had been identified. Fines ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 have been introduced to punish offenders, who are also banned from the pool. Pools have been enforcing police surveillance, although catching offenders can prove tricky since pools cannot install cameras or demand ID on entry.
Around 50 municipalities have issued public alerts in a bid to crack down on the behaviour. The prank has caused major issues for public pools in Spain, many of which are small-town pools used by families or tourist hotspots. Pools must legally remain closed for up to two days while cleaning and filtering takes place, and must test the water several times to ensure it is safe before reopening. Sometimes pools must be drained and refilled completely, which can prove extremely costly.
Faeces can transmit viruses that pool chlorine does not kill, including norovirus; bacteria such as Salmonella; and parasites such as Cryptosporidium. If swimmers accidentally swallow or inhale the dirty water, it can cause problems like stomach pains, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and more. Children are most vulnerable as they swallow more water while swimming.
