Alicante|Oil Slick On Beach
The Alicante beach of Albufereta was forced to close last week because of a diesel oil slick.
The 50 metre slick was spotted by lifeguards when it had reached about 80 metres from the shoreline.It was approaching the shore very quickly.
The lifeguards raised a red flag which warned swimmers not to go into the water and they used a megaphone to get people out of the water.
It was Alicante town hall which closed the beach to the public and bollards closed off the area.Twelve swimmers required medical attention because they had developed sore throats.One was transferred to a local clinic for further treatment.
As soon as the oil reached the shore a team of cleaners came to clear the beach.The beach was opened again the following day and the police have opened an investigation into the cause of the spill.It is possible that it came off a fuel container which fell off a ship.