A severe oil spill has led to the closure of several popular beaches in Southern Valencia.
The city council of Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday closed three beaches after oil or tar from a spill washed up on a 2-km (1.2-mile) line of sand. The cause of the spill was not immediately clear.
Several popular beaches in Southern Valencia, including El Saler, l’Arbre del Gos, and La Garrofera within the Albufera Natural Park have red flag warnings, prohibiting all swimming activities until further notice.
The Maritime Captaincy of Valencia swiftly activated the National Maritime Plan, escalating the response from an initial level 0 to level 1 after confirming the spread of the oil spill towards the southern beaches of the city. Authorities have deployed a drone and a helicopter to locate the origin and nature of the spill and assess its severity. Special clean-up crews have been dispatched to the affected beaches, situated on a narrow strip of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the protected wetland area of L’Albufera.
Oil spill closes three beaches in Valencia, Spain…pic.twitter.com/8uR0j6dHFS
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) July 17, 2024
As of early Wednesday, July 17, the beaches remained closed, extending the ban to Pinedo – l’Arbre del Gos.. Maritime, regional, and emergency authorities are working diligently to contain the spill and minimize its effects. Residents and tourists are urged to stay informed about updates from local officials.
In addition to an industrial port and several heavy-industry plants, Valencia is known for its popular beach resorts. The closure has disrupted the plans of many beachgoers and raised concerns about the environmental impact on the pristine coastal areas of Southern Valencia. The incident underscores the vulnerability of coastal areas to pollution and the critical need for rapid response measures to protect natural habitats and public health.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on restoring the affected beaches to their former glory and ensuring the safety of all visitors. Authorities are committed to reopening the beaches as soon as possible, but only once it is safe to do so.
