Zeeland coast faces oil pollution as Vlissingen reports school construction cost overruns

Oil pollution has been discovered across multiple locations along the Zeeland coast in the Netherlands. Inspections by the Province of Zeeland indicate the affected area is larger than previously reported, with heavy fuel oil found near the Walcheren coast, Banjaard Badstrand on Noord-Beveland, and the Verdronken Zwarte Polder. Authorities have issued warnings for swimming locations, advising visitors to avoid contact with the oil and seaweed containing residues.

Rijkswaterstaat is coordinating with local and regional agencies to clean up the affected beaches.

Separately, the municipality of Vlissingen is facing significant budget issues regarding the construction of the Tweemaster and Parelburcht schools in Oost-Souburg. Costs have exceeded the original 13 million euro budget by approximately 1.5 million euros, with additional legal fees totaling 522,000 euros. The municipal executive acknowledged that a critical audit report from 2023 should have been shared with the council sooner, and officials noted that the total final cost of the project remains difficult to determine due to incomplete registration of certain expenses.