Instagrammers hospitalized after diving into toxic Spanish ‘lake’ nicknamed the ‘Galician Chernobyl’

Multiple Instagram influencers were reportedly hospitalized after swimming in a highly toxic “lake” in Spain, according to local news outlets.A spokesman for the local Salvemos Cabana (Save Cabana) environmental group told CNN a tourist hot spot in the Cabana region of Galicia, famous for its picturesque setting and turquoise water, is really a former open-pit mine. Tungsten, tin and quartz was once extracted from the mine — which was abandoned in the 1980s — and the water is still highly contaminated with toxic chemicals.According to the Daily Telegraph, the spot is nicknamed the “Galician Chernobyl” by locals.Officials often warn tourists not to enter the water, but several tourists searching for that perfect Instagram photo apparently did not get the memo.Spanish news outlet Publico reported multiple Instagram influencers were recently hospitalized due to rashes and digestive issues after entering the water.One Instagram influencer told Publico they began vomiting and developed a rash that lasted for two weeks after entering the water for a photo.Another influencer said they had to be hospitalized for “damage to the skin and digestive system.”However, another tourist said that despite getting a nasty rash, “the picture was worth it.”Due to the recent hospitalizations, the Salvemos Cabana environmental group has called for authorities to close the quarry to the public.Antonio Outeiriño Lopez, an Instagram user who visited the quarry in 2015 before it became a hot spot, told CNN he never considered jumping in the water.”I’m not an ignoramus who exchanges life for a like,” he said. “The place is beautiful, but it shouldn’t be open to the public.”