Weekly Post

Dozens of Torrevieja residents and visitors are suffering from a mysterious illness, which they are blaming on a nearby underwater waste disposal system.
Residents of the town’s Cala Lo Ferris district have already made an official complaint to the authorities about the system, demanding that it be thoroughly checked to confirm or rule out their suspicions.
Around 100 people, all either visiting or living on a nearby urbanisation, say they are suffering from respiratory problems and allergies. Some of the younger and older residents have been particularly affected, with severe breathing difficulties and even high fever.
The urbanisation is situated only 200 metres from the underwater collector, which was originally installed off the local beach ten years ago, and the inhabitants believe that the health problems are being caused by harmful residual water flowing back from leaks in the system. They add that the sea water in that particular area is often foamy and dark brown in colour.
Many of the houses are holiday homes used by residents from other Vega Baja towns throughout the summer and a number of people who only arrived at the beginning of July say their problems started within the first two days of their stay.
Some have suffered allergic reactions, others have presented flu-like symptoms and a few have had to be treated with antibiotics to alleviate the condition.
Earlier this week, a group of around 15 affected residents visited the local health centre to obtain a certificate regarding the possible cause of the problem. They have now presented these papers to the town hall to corroborate their suspicions.
One environmental expert explains that the system is mainly used to get rid of used irrigation water and agrees that harmful substances could be leaking back into the sea through pipes which may be damaged because of age.
The town hall says that the system falls under the jurisdiction of the Segura Water Confederation and is not used by Torrevieja at all.
Water samples have been taken from the area for analysis and the authorities are investigating the matter.

SEARCH FOR MISSING BRIT

An appeal has been issued from the British Consulate of Málaga for help in tracing a British man who has been missing since June 20.
Alan Wemyss, 42, departed from Plymouth on the Santander ferry, driving a blue Ford Transit van. His proposed destination was Vera, Almería and his planned route in Spain was Santander-Madrid-Albacete. He was travelling alone.
But Mr Wemyss’ failed to arrive at his destination and his family have had no news from him since he left England.
Mr Wemyss is described as 1.70 metres tall and weighs approximately 65 kilos. The van has a dark blue cab and body with an aluminium tail lift and displays four stickers with Stafford Van Hire in blue letters on a white background and the telephone number in red. The registration number of the van is X228 ABF.
Any information as to the current whereabouts of Mr Wemyss or the Stafford Van Hire vehicle should be communicated to the British Consulate, Málaga, telephone 952 352 300, or to the Guardia Civil at Garrucha (Almería), telephone 950 617 079.