Gafsa Beach: Mysterious Lake Discovered In Tunisian Desert. Paradise Or Poison?

Gafsa Beach: Mysterious lake discovered in Tunisian desert.

This mystery lake appeared out of nowhere in Tunisia. It was discovered by shepherds in Gafsa… But is the water radioactive?

Some say that it is a miracle, while others are calling it a curse! A LAKE that mysteriously appeared in a drought-stricken region of Tunisia last month is being hailed as a miracle by locals but may in fact be radioactive.

Local shepherds discovered the large body of water along the Om Larayes Rd, about 25km from the southern Tunisian city of Gafsa, about three weeks ago. Since then, hundreds of people have flocked to the oasis-like formation dubbed “Lac de Gafsa” or Gafsa Beach. Families swim there, youths leap from surrounding rocks into its clear waters.

Mysterious new lake ‘radioactive’ ? Paradise or poison?

Authorities have offered no official explanation for the lake’s origins but local geologists believe seismic activity may have upset the water table and caused groundwater to rise to the surface.

However, two weeks after the lake was discovered, Gafsa’s Office of Public Safety warned Tunisians that it was dangerous and not suitable for swimming in.

The region is rich in phosphate — and heavily mined for it — and there are fears the water is contaminated or even radioactive. But since there was no official ban on swimming in the lake, Tunisians continue to do so.

Worryingly, the colour of lake, which is estimated to be between 18 and 20 metres deep has changed from a clear, turquoise blue in the first few days to a slightly murky green. It has become infested with green algae, meaning that the water is stagnant and conducive to diseases.

Gafsa Beach: Mysterious lake discovered in Tunisian desert. Curse or blessing? Hopefully, nobody will die from weird diseases in the next years!

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