Beach cleanups after Storm Gloria

Cleanup operations have been taking place all along the Catalan coast after the devastation brought by Storm Gloria in January.

Thousands of volunteers headed to beaches over the weekend to join the communal effort. Local councils coordinated events and handed out gloves and bags to helpers.

Environmental and civic organisations, student groups and members of the public of all ages came together to remove debris.

The majority of the rubbish was natural vegetation, such as tree trunks, branches, reeds and leaves. Plastic and microplastic waste was also collected and taken away.

"It’s been hugely unfortunate and we all have to work together to restore normality as soon as possible," said Manuel Sánchez, a volunteer working in Malgrat de Mar on the Maresme coast, north of Barcelona.

Storm Gloria battered Catalonia for five days and caused estimated damage of tens of millions across the country.

The beach cleanup operations will be welcomed by tourism industry, who have expressed concerns at the impact the damage from Storm Gloria will have on the 2020 season.