The French newspaper Le Figaro reports that the high concentrations of green algae off the coast of the French region of Brittany pose a public health danger. Prime Minister François Fillon has broken off his vacation in order to travel to northern Brittany, where he will announce emergency measures.

In recent years the concentrations of algae in the bays off the Côtes-d'Armor have been growing to such an extent that they have begun to rot, excreting dangerous levels of hydrogen sulfide. In July a horse died from the fumes. The horse's driver fell and was seriously injured.

The death of a jogger and several dogs are now believed to have been caused by the lethal fumes. The authorities say that most beaches in Brittany are cleaned regularly and are safe to swim in.

Rotting algae in Brittany. Photo: Ecolomania