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"As indicated by the health delegate, the red flag was raised today and the bathing off the beach of Praia do Alemão, also known as Praia das Canas, was banned, as E.Coli bacteria was detected at above acceptable levels," said the captain. Port of Portimão, Santos Arrabaça.

According to the head of the National Maritime Authority, the closure of the beach to bathers was taken promptly following "the result of microbiological analyses of the sea water carried out on Monday."

"This is not a common situation, and the causes are unknown that have led to the high concentration of faecal coliforms," ??he said, adding that more samples of sea water have been taken for analysis today but that the results will only be known on Wednesday.

The ban on Praia do Alemão, in Portimão, is the second such incident to occur on Algarve beaches this summer after bathing on Faro beach was banned on 13 August, following the detection of high levels of faecal coliforms.

As long as the ban on that beach lasts, the red flag will remain raised, with people who disrespecting the signs incurring a fine between 55 and 250 euros.

The situation is being permanently monitored by the Algarve Hydrographic Region Administration (ARH), a body part of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Algarve Regional Health Administration (ARS).

The maximum values ??allowed by law refer to the bacterium 'Escherichia colie Enterococcus intestinalis', commonly known as E.Coli, which indicates contamination by high concentration of fecal coliforms.