‘Killer’ jellyfish-like creatures begin washing up on UK beaches as heatwave begins

TOURISTS are being warned that Portuguese man o’ war have been found along beaches.

It follows sightings of the creatures — which carry a deadly sting — along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall.

In extreme cases they can kill humans — and can still sting even when dead themselves.

Marine experts said anyone stung should use gloves or tweezers to remove the tentacles and wash with hot water.

Sightings of the creatures, also known as ‘floating terror’, have been reported in recent weeks at Woolacombe, Devon, and at Hayle and Porthtowan in Cornwall.

The sea creatures (Physalia physalis) are not true jellyfish but siphonophores, which are colonies of hydrozoans – lots of tiny marine organisms living together and behaving collectively as one animal.

They get their name from the balloon-like “sail” that floats above the water, which was said to resemble a type of 18th century warship.

Beneath the surface its trailing tentacle-like polyps can stretch 160ft – the length of five London buses – which they use to paralyse prey such as small fish.

The polyps can detach from the body of the man o’war and float for several days while remaining venomous.

Brushing against one can lead to an agonising and potentially lethal sting.

A stranded Portuguese man o’ war looks a bit like a deflating purple balloon about the size of a Cornish pasty with blue ribbons attached.

They drift on the ocean currents and every year they wash up in their thousands on beaches from Britain to Australia.