Crowds of beachgoers were captured screaming and running into the sea in a bid to escape the sudden insect invasion – with one claiming ‘millions’ of critters were ‘all over us’
A Blackpool beachgoer has told of sheer horror on the coast, claiming “everyone was attacked” during a trip to the seaside. Posting on TikTok, user Shab uploaded alarming footage of the chaotic scene, which showed dozens of people shrieking and fleeing in panic.
“Everyone was attacked by flies in Blackpool, it was horrible,” she wrote in a caption, before adding: “Millions of them [were] in the water and all over us.” Her video also captured crowds running into the sea in a bid to escape the sudden insect invasion, as she declared: “There are swarms of bugs everywhere.” The bizarre swarm echoes a similar event in 2022, when holidaymakers described a “biblical” plague of bugs in the same area, as reported by North Wales Live.
Just last Easter, beaches including Blackpool North and nearby St Annes North were also flagged as two of 22 coastal UK spots where bathers were advised to avoid entering the water due to pollution concerns linked to sewage.
The disturbing trend has since drawn criticism from local MP Chris Webb, who responded by saying: “It is shocking that the Conservative government yet again have allowed Blackpool beach to be hit by an avalanche of raw sewage over the Easter weekend. Blackpool Beach is a much-loved location for locals and holidaymakers and unbeknownst to those using the beach, their health has been put at risk because of the government’s failure to act.”
Mr Webb added: “It should be the polluter, not the public or businesses paying the price. From day one, a Labour Government will take urgent action against water companies to bring an end to illegal sewage dumping, putting the public’s health first.”
TikTok users responding to Shabs’ video are highlighting the same problem, claiming sewage is rife on Blackpool’s beach. One theorised: “Raw sewage [is] what you’re walking in, my son caught dysentery from just paddling years ago at Blackpool.”
A second person claimed: “The water in Blackpool is so filthy with waste in it, I seen a bird drop its poop in the water and people were rubbing their faces with that same water.” And a third added: “Its been on the news and reported [that] Blackpool water has sewage in it and to avoid it etc… I wouldn’t dare step foot in that water.”
Despite people’s speculation, there is no solid evidence the flies have been linked to sewage in the water. Many pointed out the “attack” could purely be a result of the common sandfly being in the area. One TikTok user noted: “Sandfly swarms are a recurring, natural phenomenon which can affect any UK beach. It has nothing to do with the state of the beach or if you believe the water is dirty. The state of the beach is down to visitors who constantly fail to clean up after themselves, not the locals.”
And a second concurred, commenting: “Sandflies, they’re rife when the air show is on. We went a couple of years ago and it felt like the plague was back with a vengeance.” A senior resident added: “I remember this happening to me and my family 65 years ago in Blackpool. Same beach. The flies came off the sand and my ice cream cone suddenly turned black. We all ran into a large seafront store. I was five or six-years old.”
Samples of water taken by the Environment Agency on Blackpool North beach in 2022, 2023 and 2024 were all deemed “poor” in their classification. The results of a sample taken on June 20, 2025 are yet to be finalised and published. John Blackledge, Blackpool Council Director of Community and Environmental Services, said: “It is unclear in the brief clip what wildlife may have been present at that time in what is a natural coastal environment.
“We are proud of our beaches which so many people love and visit. In May of this year, Blackpool South, Blackpool Central, and Bispham beaches were recognised in the National Seaside Awards for their high standards of beach management, as well as their nearby facilities and water quality.
“These prestigious awards are delivered through Keep Britain Tidy a leading environmental agency and testing of waters is carried out by the Environment Agency. The awards celebrate the quality of England’s coastline including Blackpool’s beaches and waters and are a symbol that visitors can find a clean, safe and well-managed coastal stretch.”