Panic in Spain as mysterious ‘white blob’ spotted in iconic lagoon

The mysterious white stain has devastated parts of the lagoon. 14:05, Sun, Aug 2, 2026 Updated: 14:12, Sun, Aug 2, 2026 The mysterious white stain has devastated parts of the lagoon. (Image: Getty Images)A mysterious white stain spreading across Spain’s Mar Menor has triggered a catastrophic drop in marine life, devastating one of the country's most famous coastal lagoons. Shocking new research reveals an 86% plummet in species diversity at the core of the milky patch.Scientists sweeping the area found a pitiful three fish species inside the worst-affected zone, compared to 21 thriving species in nearby healthy waters. The huge white blob - which first appeared in 2022 - now covers five square miles (12.3sq km), swallowing roughly 9% of the Mar Menor in the region of Murcia. A joint team from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography and the University of Murcia tracked over 4,000 fish across a year to uncover the true scale of the crisis. Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Y...