Tourists fined for taking sand and shells from Sardinia’s beaches

People enjoy one of the beaches of Sardinia (Karl A Ritter/AP)

Dozens of tourists will have to pay dearly for their souvenirs from Sardinia’s pristine beaches.

Customs police on the Mediterranean island have issued fines of up to €3,000 to 41 people who in recent days tried to leave Sardinia with sand, seashells and beach rocks, according to Italian media.