Clean-up operations are underway today at three beaches in Valencia, in eastern Spain, which were closed to the public after an oil slick appeared, stretching hundreds of meters of coastline.

The origin of the oil spill, which was found yesterday in this highly touristic area of ​​Spain and which also spread to a part of a natural park, is not yet known.

“All the scenarios in the investigation remain open regarding the origin of the oil spill,” the deputy mayor of Valencia, Raquel Ibanez, explained to reporters from the scene, clarifying that the port authorities have been deployed in the area to “verify that there is no other source of contamination at sea ».

Today, technicians, wearing white uniforms and masks, removed with shovels the pieces of the oil spill from the beaches, as reported by AFP journalists.

“The entire zone where the hydrocarbons were detected is now free of pollution, according to all the inspections we have carried out, both yesterday and this morning,” the official assured.

“We have at our disposal the best professionals to collect the piece on the ground” and “analyze the type of substance”, but also in order to “investigate and observe the evolution of the oil spill and its impact on the sea”, he added .

Firefighting drones are “flying over the coastline to monitor the kilometers of beach affected, with the aim that the decontamination services will be able to act” effectively, explained Juan Carlos Caballero, head of Valencia’s Civil Protection, in his statements posted on the municipal website.

“The primary objective of the municipal authority” is the “return to normality”, so that “we can reopen the beaches to the residents of Valencia and to tourists”, he added.