STORMS battering Spain's Atlantic coast have destroyed two popular Costa del Sol beaches and caused extensive damage in several others, as well as leading to havoc in the neighbouring province of Cádiz, to the west.
Tidal surges, gales and torrential rain have hit the La Axarquía district of the province of Málaga hardest, wrecking the beach in the Torre del Mar resort area of Vélez-Málaga.
Some of the town's other resort neighbourhoods, such as Benajarafe, Chilches and Valle-Niza have also suffered adverse effects.
Authorities have been attempting to build barriers for the last two days to protect the shoreline, and have managed to mitigate some of the worst of the damage and keep the beach kiosks, or chiringuitos, mostly safe.
The semi-submerged pier on Torrox's Ferrara beach, which normally keeps the sand from being washed away, was completely overwhelmed and a stretch of over 100 metres is now sand-free.
Nerja has also suffered, with its La Torrecilla and Chucho beaches destroyed.
A ship abandoned for years in the port of Algeciras (Cádiz province), the launch-pad for ships to Tangiers in Morocco and to the Spanish-owned city-province of Ceuta on the African country's northernmost tip, has sunk as a result of the storms.
Since Wednesday, emergency services in the province of Cádiz have been called out 480 times, and the Puerto Real building in the port has been badly damaged by gales of over 120 kilometres per hour, reaching peaks of 150 kilometres per hour.
Buildings, including roofs and rendering; trees, beaches and fixtures such as lamp posts have been torn apart in what is said to be a Force 1 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Walkers and drivers have been urged to stay away from coastal areas in the entire province until at least noon tomorrow (Saturday), when the situation will be reviewed.
High wind warnings will remain in place until 18.00 tomorrow, but may be extended if the hurricane does not abate.
The photo shows Málaga's La Misericordia beach, in the La Axarquía district.
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