Kurzeme coast oil pollution cleanup calls for volunteers

Oil pollution has affected a wide stretch of the Kurzeme coast in Latvia. While initially estimated at 30 kilometers, the State Fire and Rescue Service reports that the contaminated area is significantly longer, prompting a call for volunteer assistance to aid in the cleanup efforts.

Magda Jentgena, an expert from the World Wildlife Fund, noted that the pollutant consists of small, dark, oil-contaminated beads rather than liquid oil products. This characteristic makes the substance easier to collect and reduces the immediate risk to wildlife. However, risks remain as the pollution may have sunk into the sea and could be washed back onto the shore by large waves.

Although the current situation is part of an exercise, experts emphasize that the risk of liquid oil spills remains a constant concern due to the high intensity of shipping traffic in the Baltic Sea.