Talamanca Ibiza: Tourists left worried as huge sinkholes open up on popular Spanish beach forcing closures

Ibiza city council has had to seal off part of Talamanca beach as well as the "chill-out" zone of a popular beach bar. The huge holes have been appearing over the last few days and are being put down to coastal erosion.

There are fears that bad weather forecast in the coming week will make the matter worse. Spain’s weather agency, Aemet, has placed the entire Balearic island on an orange alert today (Wednesday 4 September). It has warned of “very strong winds” caused by storms of 55mph to 75mph, adding that there is a possibility of there being hurricane winds.

The first holes were spotted on the beach by lifeguards on Saturday night (31 August). Team supervisor, Alejandro Parrillis told Periodico de Ibiza: "I went out to look for the police and called the coastguard. I think what has happened here is that the sea has been rising for several days and hits the wall below the walkway. It has been breaking it little by little and the holes have opened."

The city council has sealed off the walkway near the Talamanca hostel as it fears further large waves will demolish the rest of the stone wall and lead to more sand collapses. The council says the problem started when a wall, part of a well-used walkway, was partially knocked down by the rough sea, which then allowed water to access the beach, wipe away the sand and lead to the appearance of several deep sink holes.

Manager of the Hostal Talamanca added: "I have been here for 37 years and I have never seen it before. There has been no sand or seaweed in front of the hostel so the water has been eating away at the wall."

Talamanca beach is next to Ibiza town and is one of its most popular tourist hotspots, with many holidaymakers choosing Hostal Talamanca for their accommodation. The walkway will be closed for several days while technicians from the council and coastal directorate inspect the area and are prepare reports.