Shark warning

Zagreb - Croatia's tourism officials have warned tourists to stay close to the shore after several sightings of a big shark were reported in the northern Adriatic.

"Although there is no official confirmation about sharks, we recommend that bathers do not swim too far away from the coast," the Tourism and Maritime Affairs Ministry said on its website.

A shark measuring up to 4m was seen by fishermen and workers on an oil rig off the northern town of Pula on Tuesday. Another sighting, more to the south and close to the shore, was reported near the city of Rijeka.

Maritime police went out to check all the reports but did not see the shark, a ministry spokesperson said.