News of the mysterious lake spread like wildfire and hundreds of Tunisians flocked to what quickly became known as the “Lac de Gafsa” or Gafsa beach to swim and cool off in the region’s 40 degree C heat. This was August 2014, and Tunisia was in the middle of a drought, which made the lake’s sudden appearance even more enigmatic.

About two weeks after the lake appeared, the Office of Public Safety in Gafsa warned the locals that it was dangerous to swim in the lake, but few heeded the warning. Throngs of people still come here to swim and stave off the desert heat.