Oil has been found washed up on the beaches of Middelkerke and Bredene in Belgium, according to Oostende mayor Bart Tommelein (Open VLD) and West Flemish governor Carl Decaluwé, among others.
The source of the pollution has not yet been found, reports De Standaard, but both the fire department and Civil Protection are on site to determine the extent of the issue.
Several seaside resorts have already been affected, and while the situation was worst in Middelkerke and Bredene, droplets of fuel oil were also found in Oostende, Wenduine and De Haan.
“The droplets are about the size of a thumb,” said Governor Decaluwé.
Likely old pollution, not a recent spill
The search for the cause of the pollution is currently ongoing, but an inspection flight over the sea by the management unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea (MUMM) has already ruled out the possibility that the pollution is recent.
Rather it is most likely historical pollution: droplets that were already at the bottom of the sea and have now washed ashore due to the recent stormy weather.
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“Samples have been taken to the lab. Further investigation should bring more clarity,” said Decaluwé.
Meanwhile, a command post has been set up in the fire station in Ostend, according to Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V).
Ik word in realtime op de hoogte gehouden van de omvang van deze vervuiling en verdere aanpak. In de brandweerkazerne van Oostende is een commandopost ingericht. Brandweer, Civiele Bescherming, politie, defensie en de crisiscellen evalueren de situatie. https://t.co/jhYmUj1GCS
— Annelies Verlinden (@AnneliesVl) February 7, 2022
“I am kept informed in real time about the extent of this pollution and further action,” she tweeted.
“Fire department, Civil Protection, police, Defense and the crisis cells are evaluating the situation.”
On Tuesday morning, after high tide, the services involved began cleaning up. People walking with dogs were advised not to enter the beaches until that cleanup was finished.
