Watch: Officials Order People Off Public Blue Lagoon Beach

Moviment Graffitti has released footage it says shows public officials enforcing private commercial interests at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

The video, filmed on 14th June, appears to show Malta Tourism Authority officials ordering a group of people to move from a rocky section of the public beach.

According to the NGO, the group was not occupying any sunbeds or umbrellas at the time. Graffitti claims officials nevertheless instructed them to leave the area and threatened to call the police if they refused.

In a statement accompanying the footage, the organisation argued that while concessions exist for sunbeds and umbrellas in certain parts of Blue Lagoon, these do not grant operators exclusive control over surrounding public areas.

The NGO said it was not calling for disciplinary action against the officials involved, describing the incident as part of a wider issue surrounding the management of Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

Graffitti accused the government of prioritising commercial activity and mass tourism over public access and environmental protection, pointing to the large number of sunbeds, kiosks, tourist boats and visitors that occupy the area during the summer months.

The organisation also renewed calls for the publication of Comino’s carrying capacity study, arguing that the public has a right to know the environmental impact being caused by current tourism levels.

Is Blue Lagoon still a public beach in practice?

READ NEXT: Uber And Local Partner Reviewing Malta Agreement

Dylan Attard

Dylan Attard is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta and a proud Gozitan with a passion for digital media, content creation, and social trends. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him at the gym, watching series or doomscrolling.