Two pools at a Caribbean-themed waterpark in Spain were forced to close on Tuesday afternoon after faeces were discovered in the water, the latest incident linked to the so-called 'brown challenge' that has already caused more than 300 pool closures across the country.
The affected areas – one for adults and one for children – are part of the Caribe Aquatic Park inside the PortAventura World resort on the Costa Dorada in the province of Tarragona. The waterpark, popular with British and Irish holidaymakers, attracts around 5.3 million visitors per year and was full of tourists when the evacuation order was given.
Evacuation and social media reaction
Footage of the evacuation quickly spread on social media. A Spanish-speaking visitor who shared photos and videos said: "It's 4.33pm in the afternoon, and some pig has just defecated in the pool, and they've kicked us all out. This isn't AI – this is reality. If you're at Caribe Aquatic Park, you'll have seen it. We're all out of the pool."
Another swimmer described "moments of tension" and added: "Both pools, the adult one and the children's one, had to be completely evacuated after someone apparently carried out the famous 'summer challenge.' Luckily, the quick response of the lifeguards and all the park staff prevented the situation from getting worse."
The same visitor criticised those responsible, asking: "Do you really have to go this far to pull a prank? The kinds of challenges can have very serious consequences."
Official response and health protocols
Theme park officials told local media in a statement: "The safety and well-being of our visitors is our top priority, and our team is trained and prepared to manage this type of situation with the utmost diligence and efficiency. We rigorously applied all the health protocols established by current regulations and the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT). Specifically, in the event of any detection and presence of faeces, vomit or other visible organic waste in the water, swimming is immediately prohibited until the situation is normalised after the corresponding protocol has been applied."
The situation returned to normal after the incident, though unconfirmed claims on social media suggested the stunt was repeated on Wednesday. One pool user said: "The incident that was reported on happened on Tuesday, but on Wednesday it occurred again. I was there that afternoon." An enraged local declared: "I'd make those responsible clean the toilets with their tongues."
Fines and surveillance
Authorities have introduced fines ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 for offenders, who are also banned from the pool. Pools have increased police surveillance, although catching offenders is difficult because pools cannot install cameras or demand ID on entry. Around 50 municipalities have issued public alerts to crack down on the behaviour.
The 'brown challenge' involves Instagram and TikTok users deliberately defecating in public pools, either directly or by releasing faeces from a bag inside swimwear. The trend has caused a public health crisis in Spain, with pools legally required to remain closed for 24 to 48 hours for cleaning and filtration. Water must be tested several times before reopening, and sometimes pools must be drained and refilled completely, which is extremely costly.
Faeces can transmit viruses that chlorine does not kill, including norovirus, bacteria such as Salmonella, and parasites such as Cryptosporidium. Swimmers who accidentally swallow or inhale contaminated water can suffer stomach pains, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and more. Children are most vulnerable as they swallow more water while swimming.
