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A popular beach on the west coast of France was expected to reopen on Thursday, a day after it was evacuated after a lifeguard spotted a shark 20m from shore.

The red flag was raised at 4.30pm on Wednesday at La Teste-de-Buch, in Arcachon bay, after the official issued a shark alert. The beach was closed for the rest of the day.

According to regional daily Sud-Ouest, the animal that sparked the evacuation was a young blue shark that was about 1m. Adult blue sharks can reach up to 3m.

This latest sighting came a few days after a similar shark was reportedly sighted off Lacanau, Gironde. They feed primarily on small fish and squid, although they can take larger prey - and are harmless to humans.