Hundreds of swimmers have been flocking to a mysterious new lake in the Gafsa region of southern Tunisia, but the sudden appearance of the body of water in the drought-stricken area has raised concerns about its origin and quality.
Hailed as a miracle by locals, authorities have warned the lake could actually be radioactive.
Shepherds discovered Gafsa beach or “Lac de Gafsa”, which is between 10m and 18m deep and spread over a surface of around one hectare, around 25km from Gafsalongside Om Larayes road.
Since it was discovered three weeks ago, more than 600 people have been swimming, diving and scuba diving in the water, according to Au News.
“Some say that it is a miracle, while others are calling it a curse,” journalist Lakhdar Souid told France24.
There is no official explanation for the lake’s origins, but local geologists believe seismic activity may have disrupted the water table and caused groundwater to rise to the surface.
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