Gafsa Beach – a lake that suddenly appeared in the middle of an area known for droughts – has become Southern Tunisia’s newest attraction. Some say that it is a miracle, while others are calling it a curse. The lake contains one million cubic meters of water per hectare of surface area. It is between 32 and 60 feet deep.
The lake was discovered by several shepherds three weeks ago, but its origins are still unknown. A local geologist believes that it came about as due to a seismic tremor creating a leak in the ground water table.
Two weeks after Gafsa Beach was discovered, authorities warned Tunisians that the lake was dangerous and not suitable for swimming in, but since there was no official ban on swimming in the lake, Tunisians continue to do so.
There is no security of any kind around the lake. Some believe that the water is radioactive or carcinogenic because the lake is located in a region with a lot of phosphate.
The lake water was clear at first, but it later became infested with green algae, meaning that the water is stagnant and conducive to diseases.
Despite warnings, more than 600 people have already swum in the lake.
“There’s a real risk that the water is contaminated and carcinogenic”
Lakhdar Souid in a journalist from the Gafsa region. For the past few days, he has been conducting an investigation into the origin of the lake as well as the potential health risks for swimmers.
Local shepherds discovered this vast expanse of water about three weeks ago. News of the lake’s appearance has spread like wildfire and now hundreds of people, eager to escape a heatwave, go there to swim. They have christened it “Gafsa Beach.” Many people are calling the lake’s appearance a miracle.
So far, local authorities have provided no explanation for the lake’s sudden appearance. That’s why I contacted a geologist working at Gafsa’s college of science who had come up with a number of theories about the lake’s origins, one being that seismic activity upset the water table, causing groundwater to rise to the surface.
For the time being, the origins of this lake remains a mystery, but our biggest concern right now is the quality of the water. This region is overflowing with large deposits of phosphate, which can leave behind radioactive residue [Editor’s Note: The city of Gafsa is located in a valley in the eponymous mountain range. Phosphate mining is the region’s main industry.]
So, there is a real risk that this water is contaminated and carcinogenic. On the first few days, the water was a clear, turquoise blue. Now, it is greenish and filled with algae, sure signs that the water is stagnant, which means it’s a perfect breeding ground for parasites and disease.
Last Friday, despite the warnings issued by the Office of Public Safety, hundreds of swimmers came to the lake. The site is certainly stunning and there are many large rocks perfect for diving. So to truly dissuade people from coming, we’ll need something more convincing than a little warning.
