The measure was taken, according to the city hall of Nazaré, in the district of Leiria, following the "detection of an obstruction in the sewage pipe near Praça Manuel Arriaga," which determined "the ban on swimming at Nazaré Beach, in the northern area, as a preventative measure."

In a statement, the city hall explained that the incident was caused by a sewage spill lasting approximately an hour and a half.

The problem was "immediately reported to the competent authorities," and "the necessary actions were quickly taken to resolve the situation and minimise any potential impacts," the city hall clarified in a statement.

According to the council, water samples were collected for analysis, and the municipality is awaiting the results, which should be released by the Dr. Ricardo Jorge National Health Institute during the day on Wednesday.

This is the second time the beach has been closed to swimming since the beginning of the month, following a technical failure on the first Friday of August that caused a backflow into the storm sewer and bad odours.

The ban was lifted on Saturday night, after the results of the water tests were released, but at least 116 people were treated at the Leiria Region Local Health Unit (ULS) with symptoms related to water contamination.

According to the ULS, 72 children and young people and 44 adults were treated, with symptoms primarily related to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhoea.