As the final rounds of the Monte Cristo challenge in Marseille were taking place, swimmers were forced to give up due to a very large shoal of jellyfish.
“As
soon as the start was given, we heard cries signaling the presence of a large school of jellyfish”
, explained François Jacquel of the SNSM to BFM Marseille Provence.
From 50 to 80 swimmers had to be picked up at sea by the SNSM launch, in order to be brought back to shore.
"
We could no longer swim, it was impossible to move forward when we arrived at the level of the school of jellyfish"
, commented Benjamin Contri, a swimmer stung several times, to our colleagues from La Provence.
For several weeks, jellyfish have been proliferating on the Côte d'Azur.
In particular because of the winds, but also because their predators: turtles and dolphins are becoming increasingly rare.
