Mysterious Black Balls Force Closure of Sydney’s Coogee Beach

AFP

Sydney: Hundreds of mysterious black, tar-like balls washed ashore on Sydney’s Coogee Beach, leading lifeguards to close the popular spot to swimmers on Tuesday.

The unusual “black, ball-shaped debris” appeared on the beach in the afternoon, leaving authorities puzzled and scrambling to determine their origin. Mayor Dylan Parker announced the beach’s closure via social media, with no timeline for reopening.

The spheres, ranging in size from golf balls to cricket balls, covered the sand, which is usually packed with locals and tourists. Only a few seagulls wandered among the mysterious objects, pecking and inspecting them.

Authorities suspect the debris could be “tar balls,” often formed when oil mixes with debris and water, potentially indicating an oil spill or seepage. Despite an overnight cleanup, Coogee Beach remained closed on Wednesday morning.

Nearby beaches remain open, but officials are closely monitoring the situation. Mayor Parker urged beachgoers to avoid Coogee Beach and refrain from touching the debris while cleanup efforts and investigations continue.