Explosive device found in the water of a popular Barcelona Beach

A beach in Barcelona was evacuated on Sunday after police found an explosive device in the water.

The alarm was given after the device, located at a depth of 3 metres (10 feet) and 25 metres (80 feet) from the shore, was found by an off-duty police diver who happened to be swimming in the area.

Police swiftly established a security perimeter of 250 metres wide around the device off the Sant Sebastia beach, one of most popular beaches in Barcelona as informed by a Civil Guard spokeswoman.

From the explosive’s old appearance, it is believed that it could date back some 80 years to the Spanish Civil war.

Navy specialists will arrive today (Monday) to deactivate the device, the spokeswoman informed, adding the closure would remain in place until the area is made safe.