9 popular beaches close after mysterious ball-shaped debris washes up on shore

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN/CNN Newsource/WKRC) – Nine popular beaches have been closed after mysterious ball-shaped debris washed ashore.

Nine popular Sydney beaches, including iconic Manly Beach, were closed to swimmers on Tuesday after small white and gray balls of debris appeared on the shores at the height of the summer holiday season.

The Northern Beaches Council said it was working to safely remove the debris. “Most of the ball-shaped debris samples were the size of marbles, with some larger,” the council said in a statement.

Sydney’s ocean beaches, known for their golden sand and clean water, attract tourists from all over the world. Beachgoers are advised to avoid Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches until further notice. Authorities urged the public to stay away from these materials while cleanup efforts and investigations continue.

Officials said they were working with the state environmental agency to collect debris samples for testing.

Last October, several beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach, east of Sydney’s city centre, were closed after thousands of black balls were discovered on the shores. An investigation later determined that these balls were composed of fatty acids and chemicals similar to those found in cosmetics and cleaning products, as well as hair, food waste and other materials associated with sewage.