Sydney beaches shut again over mysterious debris washed on shore

Nine beaches in Sydney were closed on Tuesday as authorities investigated marble-sized balls of white and gray debris that had washed on shore.

Sydney’s popular Manly Beach and other beaches around the Australian city were closed on Tuesday as authorities investigated marble-sized balls of white and gray debris that had washed on shore, in the latest such mysterious incident in recent months.

The Northern Beaches Council said most of the samples identified were marble-sized, though some were larger. It said it was organizing the safe removal of the debris, the makeup and origin of which is unknown.

In addition to Manly, officials closed Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches until further notice. Other beaches are being inspected.

The closures come at the peak of the Australian summer.

Crowds at Sydney’s Manly Beach in 2023.Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Images fileThe council said it was collecting samples of the debris for testing in close coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency of New South Wales, the state that includes Sydney.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/sydney-beaches-shut-mysterious-debris-washed-shore-rcna187548

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