British tourists spark health alert in Turkey after sprinkling ashes of dead relative in sea

British tourists have sparked a health alert after scattering a dead relative’s ashes on a popular beach in Turkey.

Friends and relatives waded into the sea at Uzunyali beach in Marmaris on Monday and health authorities were forced to take water samples following backlash after the ceremony.

Swimmers warned on Tuesday that spreading ashes near the beach could put people’s health at risk, the MailOnline reports.

A photo of the memorial shows a group of around 15 people wearing matching T-shirts up to their waist in water.

Cremation is not legal in Turkey and there are no cremation facilities, according to the Home Office.

The restrictions have made it very difficult for people to scatter their loved ones' ashes in the past.

One bereaved Brit shared their struggles spreading their wife’s ashes on a Sue Ryder bereavement forum.

They wrote: “My wife always loved Turkey from the first time we went there 40 years ago and many, many times after. So it was a no brainer where she would want to be at rest.

“Unfortunately it’s never that simple. It took me nearly two years to get permissions set up with UK airport, airline, Turkish airport, Turkish Government, Turkish Local Council Officials, Main Mosque Representatives, Turkish Police, and Local Port Authorities.

“I was told what I could and could not do every step of the way by officials.”

The British government advises finding a local funeral director to arrange a burial in Turkey.

People can also talk to a funeral director about bringing the person’s body to the UK from Turkey.