Mediterranean beaches evacuated by firefighters due to oil spill in the sea

This Saturday, August 10, 2024, two beaches in Cagnes-sur-Mer were ordered to evacuate. The presence of an oil slick on the edge of the coast could pose risks to swimmers. Analyses must be carried out.

The firefighters had to announce to swimmers that they would have to cut short their afternoon of swimming. This Saturday, reports BFMTV, several beaches in the commune of Cagnes-sur-Mer in the Alpes-Maritimes were ordered to evacuate. The cause is the presence of a hydrocarbon slick, the exact nature of which is still unknown.

Evacuations in progress

Holidaymakers had to end their afternoon at the seaside. The beaches, crowded at this time of year, of the city of Provence are being evacuated. According to our colleagues, two sites are affected. The firefighters are responsible for getting the bathers to leave the premises.

This will allow on the one hand to avoid any contact between individuals and the oil slick and on the other hand to set up a reconnaissance operation.

Identify the nature of the slick

Because for the moment, the exact nature of this slick is unknown. Services specialized in water analysis are expected on site. They will have to identify the composition of the product floating on its surface.

Already, on August 2, the city's beaches had been closed due to “strong emanations and the presence of hydrocarbons”.