Bathing prohibited at Cabanas Velhas and Boca do Rio
Two Algarve beaches (alongside each other in the municipality of Vila do Bispo) have been affected by a crude oil spill, blighting water quality.
Authorities have already ‘banned’ bathing until conditions “are reversed”.
The crude was first detected yesterday at Cabanas Velhas, with AMN national maritime authority admitting its origins at this point are unknown.
For now, the situation is in the hands of the Southern Maritime Department and the Directorate for Combating Pollution at Sea, which has activated what is called the 3rd level of readiness of the Clean Sea Plan.
Polluting material was being rounded up this morning (see photo) at which point authorities patrolling the coast realised it was also present at Boca do Rio.
“All contaminated material collected” has been sent to “an appropriate treatment unit via Vila do Bispo town hall”, said a statement this morning from the national maritime authority, explaining that the “general aim of the Mar Limpo Plan is to establish a response mechanism for hydrocarbon and other dangerous substance spills, and for situations where there is an imminent threat of such spills, to define responsibilities of the organisations involved and to establish their competences”.
With no culprit yet identified, it is unclear how, or even if, authorities will be investigating further.
Source material: LUSA/ AMN
