Ustka beaches closed due to mysterious coastal pollution

Beaches in the Ustka municipality and surrounding areas along the Polish Baltic coast have been closed following the discovery of a mysterious dark, oily substance. The contamination has been identified across a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline, including Rowy, Jarosławiec, Rusinowo, and Wicie.

Authorities from the Maritime Office in Słupsk are currently investigating the cause and exact composition of the substance. While there are preliminary suspicions that the material could be mazut—a heavy petroleum product—or the result of an illegal discharge from a vessel, laboratory results are still pending.

The Government Security Centre issued an alert warning residents and tourists to stay away from the affected areas. Officials have urged the public not to touch, collect, or attempt to remove the substance, noting potential risks to human health and pets. Beaches will remain closed until the contamination is neutralized and safety is guaranteed.