Portuguese man o' wars, stinging jelly-like creatures, are washing up on UK beaches due to warmer seas and shifting currents, prompting safety warnings.

Portuguese man o' wars have washed up on UK beaches in Pembrokeshire, Anglesey, and Cornwall, prompting coastguard warnings. These stinging siphonophores, usually found in warmer waters, are being carried north by currents and wind, with sightings increasing due to rising sea temperatures. Though they appear dead, their tentacles can still cause severe pain, so officials urge the public to avoid touching them and report sightings. Medical advice includes rinsing with seawater, removing spines with tweezers, and soaking the area in hot water for at least 30 minutes—avoiding urine or ice. The trend, more common in autumn, reflects broader environmental shifts affecting marine life distribution in the North Atlantic.