Dangerous sea swell - beachgoers warned of big waves

Dangerous sea swell on all beaches on the Bulgarian South Black Sea coast. The flag is red. The cause is a phenomenon called "Karpuz Melten" and it is extremely dangerous for holidaymakers, but beneficial for sea dwellers.

Lifeguards have been warning holidaymakers since the morning on August 14 that the sea is extremely dangerous: whoever goes in deeper is in danger of not coming out.

"This is the first time this year that such big waves have appeared. As you can see they are in the range of two or three metres high, that's over 5-6 bales of swell. Anything that goes past them, gets pulled. Even as you can see, half the beach is flooded up to the second, third row of umbrellas and deck chairs," said senior lifeguard Peter Russev.

Lifeguards have also taken extra security measures.

"We have secured a lifeline with a gauche, in case we need to pull a person out of the sea," said senior lifeguard Veselin Iliev.

At this time of day, the Burgas beach is full of holidaymakers. Because of the waves, however, it is almost empty. And the few holidaymakers who are on the beach are afraid to enter the sea.

"It drags a lot, here, only up to the knees, even there it grags. The water, pushes you, you just sink, it deepens. It's very dangerous," says Vaska Ninova.

" Yes, it's very dangerous, from the wind, yes," says Albena Antonova.

Fishermen know the phenomenon. They say it's not unusual, but it hasn't occurred in two years.

"Almost every year these winds occur in the Black Sea. They are strong, northeasterlies.

- Do fishermen get in the water during this phenomenon?

- Absolutely not, it's a sailor's holiday we call it, we stay in the pub," says Georgi Dimov- Chikagoto, a fisherman from Chengene Skele.

The phenomenon will last a week. It will probably ruin the holiday for some, but for the sea dwellers it is long awaited, as the sea is believed to turn from below and above, and change their lives and location.