The public has been urged not to swim at Bajja tal-Għażżenin in St Paul's Bay until further notice after sewage overflowed into the sea within the designated bathing area, the Environmental Health Directorate said.

The directorate warned that the incident may affect bathing water quality and poses a potential risk to bathers' health, while investigations are underway to determine the source and extent of the contamination.

The Environmental Health Directorate, which falls under the cap of the Superintendence of Public Health, said in a statement that Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are carrying out further investigations to determine the source and extent of the contamination.

The Directorate said that, "at this stage, the duration of the contamination cannot be predicted."

Signs have been affixed around the affected area to inform all visitors of the situation at hand.

The Directorate said that the signs will be removed once the water quality is restored; another press release will be issued to notify the public when the site is once again fit for safe bathing.

For further information, the Environmental Health Directorate can be contacted between 8am and 2:30pm through the telephone number 20954992.

People may also contact via e-mail on [email protected]. Additionally, more information can be found on the Directorate's Facebook page, through its official website, or through the EHD Bathing Portal.