The port captain, Vasco Toledo Cristo, confirmed to the Lusa agency the appearance of “several gelatinous organisms”, of a species not yet confirmed and “whose identification has already been requested to the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF)”.

The bodies hit the shore this morning on the beach, causing "red flags to be raised in the areas under surveillance and bathing, whether in the sea or in the lagoon, is discouraged," added the official.

The Captaincy of the Port of Peniche also requested the intervention of the health authorities "to assess whether other measures are necessary".

At the scene, lifeguards asked swimmers to get out of the water and bathe in fresh water, but until 1pm on 22 Juky there was no record of any bather with symptoms associated with the presence of the organism not yet identified.

The municipality of Caldas da Rainha is located in the district of Leiria.