They are black, soft and suspicious.
Hydrocarbon pellets of unknown origin were found this Monday on several beaches in Boulonnais, announces the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais, confirming information from the Voix du Nord.
These dumplings "with a diameter of between one and five centimeters" have been identified on the beaches of the municipalities of Equihen, Saint-Étienne-au-Mont, Neufchâtel-Hardelot and Le Touquet in Pas-de-Calais, specifies the prefecture.
"Boats that have degassed"
According to the authorities, "the concentration of these hydrocarbon pellets is low" and this episode of pollution is described as "low amplitude".
These dumplings represent for example "only about 1% of the area" of the beach of Equihen, the most affected.
“After contact with a fishing boat in the area, it appears that there is no pollution at sea detected at this time”, specifies the prefecture.
"It's boats that have degassed," said the mayor of Equihen, Christian Fourcroy, who had not witnessed such an episode of pollution for "years".