Red flags over the Baltic Sea, and Poles in the water. This video is chilling.

While it might seem that warnings and red flags on the Baltic Sea should deter tourists from entering the water, it turns out that's not the case. Last weekend was scorching hot, but in many places, entry to the sea was already prohibited on Saturday, and the situation worsened on Sunday. Photos and videos posted on social media show that Poles ignored the prohibitions, resulting in more than one tragedy.

Red flags over the Baltic Sea

Starting Saturday, red flags will be displayed in many popular seaside towns. These may appear due to cyanobacterial blooms, among other reasons, but this time, it's primarily due to strong countercurrents, a highly treacherous phenomenon. While it may seem that the water is calm and the waves are harmless, in reality, they can sweep us out to sea in the blink of an eye.

On Sunday, August 18, over 20 seaside resorts were closed in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, including in Przewłoka, Dębina, Rowy (7), Lubiatów, Białogóra, Dębki, Karwieńskie Błota Drugie, Jastrzębia Góra, Gdańsk (Sobieszewo, Orło, and Świbno), Mikoszewo, Jantar, Stegna (2), Sztutowo, Kąty Rybackie, and Krynica Morska (Korczaka). Please check updates regularly, as the safety situation on the Baltic Sea is changing rapidly.

In the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, swimming bans were introduced in Świnoujście, Międzyzdroje, Międzywodzie, Dziwnów, Dziwnówek, Łukęcin, Mrzeżyno, Rogów, Dźwirzyno, Sianożęty, Ustronie Morskie, Gąski, Sarbinowo, Chłopy, Mielenko, Mielno, and Łazy. Additionally, some bathing areas in Poland were closed due to cyanobacteria.

When red flags appear on a beach, do not enter the water under any circumstances. Last weekend showed that tourists often ignore lifeguards' appeals.

The shameful behavior of Poles

Poles have repeatedly demonstrated that red flags mean nothing to them, wading into the sea despite strong waves and currents. "I wonder if such ignorance stems from pride or ignorance," we read in one TikTok post. A woman shared a video from Karwia, showing tourists, even those with children, having a great time in the sea.

Photos showing the disturbing phenomenon were also posted on the Facebook page Na Mierzeję. "Today we see children swimming a dozen or so meters from the shore and their parents taking pictures of them. Let's hope these aren't the last photos from our vacation," the post's authors commented.

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Due to the ignorance of Poles, tragedies are occurring. Last weekend, a 48-year-old man died in Stegna while trying to save his daughters. They were swept out to sea by waves and countercurrents. On Sunday, another person died – a 69-year-old woman in Sztutowo, also swept out to sea by a countercurrent.

Read also: Tragedy on a Polish beach. Tourist could not be saved. Read also: Problems at the seaside include more than just the weather and cyanobacteria. Swimming is impossible because of this.