Mystery black balls close Sydney's Coogee Beach amid safety probe
An unusual situation has occurred in Australia. Mysterious black balls have been spotted on Coogee Beach in Sydney. Their origin along the shore is still unknown, requiring further research. The beach has been temporarily closed to the public.
On Tuesday, October 15, black balls appeared on Coogee Beach in Sydney. Their origin, composition, and potential danger to humans remain uncertain. One likely theory is that they could be so-called tar balls.
These are formed from pollutants related to oil spills in the sea or ocean, often from a ship's deck. The Australian service ABC News reports that preliminary tests indicate the presence of hydrocarbon-derived pollutants. We are now waiting for final confirmation of this hypothesis. If confirmed, it will officially validate the presence of tar balls polluting the shorelines.
Black balls. The beach in Australia has been closed
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) reported this finding. Due to the unknown origin of the black balls, authorities have decided to close Coogee Beach. Residents of Sydney and tourists eager to swim in the ocean, relax on the sand, and bask in the sun will not be able to visit for the time being. The beach will remain closed until further notice.
An investigation is currently underway to clarify this matter. However, it's vital to remove the deposited balls from the beach. The appropriate services are handling the cleanup. It is currently unclear how long it will take to reopen the beach to tourists.
Our community is rightfully very protective of our natural environment and this has been a very concerning incident. Our priority as a local council is to keep people safe and protect as far as possible our coastal and marine environment, said the mayor of Randwick, Dylan Parker.
Penny Sharpe, the environment minister in New South Wales, also spoke. She stated that swimming near Coogee Beach is not safe at this time, though she confirmed that other beaches are clean. She hoped that the black balls' origin would be determined soon.
