Barcelona activates an alert for heavy swell and closes access to beaches

Barcelona City Council activates an alert due to poor sea conditions on 21 January. Access to beaches and breakwaters is prohibited. The Guardia Urbana is reinforcing surveillance along the coast. Find out the key measures and recommendations.

Barcelona City Council has raised the alert level of the Pla Bàsic d’Emergència Municipal due to poor sea conditions. After an emergency phase activated on Tuesday morning, the city is now moving to the alert phase, prompted by improved weather forecasts and a reduction in wave height.

The alert remains active when there is a warning of dangerous waves, with a high probability of waves exceeding 2.5 metres. This situation poses a risk both to people and to urban furniture on Barcelona's coast.

As a preventive measure, the city council recommends taking extreme care and avoiding going near beaches. It also recalls the ban on accessing breakwaters and swimming while the red flag is flying, as it is on all the city's beaches.

The Guardia Urbana has intensified its presence in the coastal area, blocking access to breakwaters and areas where waves break, with the aim of minimising risks to the public.

During the alert for poor sea conditions, people are urged not to go near beaches, sea walls or seafront promenades. For safety reasons, entering the water and accessing breakwaters is prohibited until further notice.