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HUMAN remains potentially containing contagious diseases are slowly being revealed on a creepy UK island.

While there are some spooky islands in the UK, this haunting isle was a former burial site and is off-limits to the public.

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Deadman’s Island is a small island in the River Medway estuary of Kent and has long been the subject of gruesome tales.

More than 200 years ago, the island was used as a burial ground for convicts who died aboard prison ships, known as hulks, anchored nearby in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Many succumbed to horrendous conditions with regular outbreaks of disease sweeping through the ships.

Hundreds were buried in unmarked wooden coffins, six feet under the mud.

Trevor Mason, who runs Deadman’s Island social media page, told the BBC: “Unfortunately in many cases sailors were sick, and in some cases they died, so while the boats were moored here those who succumbed to those contagious diseases were buried.”

“The sailors who would have been living on board those ships must have been in horrendous conditions – not being able to come off the ship to go [on] land and see their families etc, and the risk of catching a disease from their fellow sailor.”

He added that an archaeologist revealed some of the remains may still contain contagious diseases.

For many years the grim finds remained invisible to the human eye.

But now, changing sea levels and erosion are bringing the human remains to the surface.

It’s not uncommon for them to be washed out into the Thames Estuary or discovered on the Kent coastline.

In 2016 the remains of more than 200 humans were found on the island, believed to belong to men and boys who had died on board the floating jails.

The uninhabited mudbank is owned by Natural England, who lease it to two people.

Visitors are banned from the island, though camera crews are sometimes permitted.

Human bones are littered among the shells, while coffins that were once six feet under have risen to the surface, threatening to expose their contents.

As well as a graveyard of bones, the protected wetland also serves as an important breeding and nesting site for birds.

The Sun paid a visit to the hidden UK island last year where you can only visit by kayak.

It was said that local fisherman spotted human ghosts calling out to them to come and save them.

Historians have often been left open-mouthed as they continue to uncover skulls, ribs and jawbones on the island.

Previous footage shows dozens of human remains scaled in barnacles and littering the sludgy banks.

What looks like it could come straight out of a horror film, the truth behind the creepy area was revealed back in 2017.

A bathing ban has been slapped on one of Northern Ireland’s most popular beaches just before the bank holiday weekend – after blue-green algae was detected over 100 times across the region this year

Beachgoers have been warned not to swim at one of Northern Ireland’s most popular seaside spots after “potentially toxic” blue-green algae was found in the water.

The bathing ban was put in place at Benone Beach in Co Londonderry by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The north coast beach, with its seven-mile stretch of golden sand and stunning views of Benevenagh mountain and Donegal, is popular with tourists.

Daera said in a statement: “Blue-green algae was observed on part of Benone Beach on Thursday through the Daera monitoring programme for bathing waters.

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“Analysis has confirmed high levels of blue-green algae and the department has issued the bathing water operator, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough council, an ‘Advice against Bathing’ notification.”

The department noted that no other north coast beaches are affected. Daera added that it “will continue to monitor these beaches for blue-green algae and provide advice to bathing water operators when required”.

The council confirmed a red-level warning had now been put in place. A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “A temporary Advice Against Bathing Notice has been issued for Benone Strand from Friday 22nd August 2025.

“This is an escalation from the amber to red level in accordance with the Inter-Agency Blue Green Algae Protocol. Daera will continue to monitor Benone Strand and advise of any changes.”

Blue-green algae has been detected more than 100 times across Northern Ireland since the start of the year, Deara previously said. Large algal blooms have also covered Lough Neagh for the third summer in a row, raising concerns for pets, livestock and wildlife.

Technically known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae are microscopic organisms naturally found in lakes and streams. They can multiply rapidly in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich waters, with some strains producing toxins.

These toxins are particularly dangerous for pets, livestock and wildlife. Humans exposed to high levels can suffer health effects such as diarrhoea, vomiting, throat irritation and breathing difficulties.

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser run-off and wastewater treatment are key contributors to the algae. The spread of invasive zebra mussels is also thought to play a role, as they clear the water, allowing more sunlight to fuel algal growth.

Rising water temperatures – linked to climate change – are another factor.

The Stormont Executive launched an action plan last year to tackle the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh. Earlier this week, Environment Minister Andrew Muir called for more support from colleagues to address both the blue-green algae problem and the broader environmental issues at the lough.

By AP with Indrabati Lahiri

Published on
21/05/2025 – 11:32 GMT+2

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Oil prices surged on Wednesday after a report by CNN suggested that Israel could launch an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to new US intelligence. 

US crude oil jumped 1.1% on Wednesday morning to $62.7 per barrel, whereas Brent crude oil advanced 1% to $66 per barrel. 

However, CNN emphasised that it wasn’t clear as yet whether a confirmed decision about the possible attack had been made.

Oil markets have been volatile for the last few days, mainly because of anticipation around the next round of Iran-US nuclear talks, due to be held this weekend. These talks are also expected to help increase global oil supply. 

However, any strike against Iran by Israel is likely to negatively impact these negotiations, which in turn, could further fuel Middle Eastern tensions and significantly affect oil markets. 

Although Israel has not been shy about its intentions to target Iran, several Iranian nuclear facilities may already be capable of defending themselves against the majority of strikes. 

Robert Rennie, head of commodity and carbon research for Westpac Banking Corp, said, as reported by Bloomberg: “This is the clearest sign yet of how high the stakes are in the US-Iran nuclear talks and the lengths Israel may go to if Iran insists on maintaining its commercial nuclear capabilities.”

He added: “Crude will maintain a risk premium as long as the current talks appear to be going nowhere.”

Traditional forex safe havens such as the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc also saw a slight boost following the release of the CNN report. 

US-Iran nuclear talks hang in the balance

In talks on the nuclear issue, Iranian officials have warned they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal isn’t reached.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff said in an ABC News interview on Sunday, as reported by the BBC: “We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability. We’ve delivered a proposal to the Iranians that we think addresses some of this without disrespecting them. We want to get to a solution here. And we think that will be able to.”

He added: “But everything begins from our standpoint with a deal that does not include enrichment. We cannot have that. Because enrichment enables weaponisation, and we will not allow a bomb to get here.”

Earlier this week, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei revealed that he did not believe that the latest round of talks between Iran and the US would be successful.

Despite rising sanctions from the US and some of its allies such as Europe and the UK, Iran has been able to continue exporting crude oil and has also increased its supply in the last few months.

Ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war and Houthi Red Sea attacks have gone a long way in souring relations between Israel and Iran in the last several months.

As such, any new attack, especially on Iran’s nuclear facilities may significantly affect the wider Middle Eastern region and further delay any hope of stability in the area.