After some beach closures and tense hours over hundreds of black balls washing up on Australian sea shores, the mystery appears to have been solved.

Earlier reported to be the result of a possible oil spill in the ocean or even speculated as dinosaur eggs, the black objects have now been identified as tar balls, reports said on Wednesday (Oct 16).

Watch: Oil spill in Trinidad &amp; Tobago; 10 miles of coastline affected due to oil spillage

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A tar ball is a hardened blob of petroleum. It can form naturally or as a result of oil spills and after floating in the waters for long periods of time. They are considered a pollutant.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-singapore-intensifies-clean-up-as-rare-oil-spill-prompts-closure-of-public-beach-732295/singapore-intensifies-clean-up-efforts-after-rare-oil-spill-732292">Also read: In pics | Singapore intensifies clean up as rare oil spill prompts closure of public beach</a>

Local news channel 9 News reported that Randwick City Council determined after tests that the objects were tar balls.

The council said preliminary test results from samples collected on Tuesday showed the balls were a hydrocarbon-based pollutant consistent with the makeup of tar balls, as was suspected, News.co.au said in an update.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said council staff were working to remove the balls from the beaches. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-gaemi-causes-ship-sinkings-and-major-oil-spill-risk-in-manila-bay-744126">Also read: Typhoon Gaemi: Oil tanker and cargo ship sink, huge oil spill risk in Manila Bay</a> 
 
"Our community is rightfully very protective of our natural environment and this has been a very concerning incident," 9 News&nbsp;quoted Parker as saying.

Since Tuesday when the balls were first noticed by lifeguards in Sydney's iconic Coogee beach, authorities had closed access to it, as well as the nearby Gordons Bay beach. Both beaches remained closed as of&nbsp;Wednesday evening.

Cleaning crews are at work to clear the debris.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

After some beach closures and tense hours over hundreds of black balls washing up on Australian sea shores, the mystery appears to have been solved. Earlier reported to be the result of a possible oil spill in the ocean or even speculated as dinosaur eggs, the black objects have now been identified as tar balls, reports said on Wednesday (Oct 16).

After some beach closures and tense hours over hundreds of black balls washing up on Australian sea shores, the mystery appears to have been solved. Earlier reported to be the result of a possible oil spill in the ocean or even speculated as dinosaur eggs, the black objects have now been identified as tar balls, reports said on Wednesday (Oct 16). Watch: Oil spill in Trinidad & Tobago; 10 miles of coastline affected due to oil spillage × A tar ball is a hardened blob of petroleum. It can form naturally or as a result of oil spills and after floating in the waters for long periods of time. They are considered a pollutant. Also read: In pics | Singapore intensifies clean up as rare oil spill prompts closure of public beach Local news channel 9 News reported that Randwick City Council determined after tests that the objects were tar balls. The council said preliminary test results from samples collected on Tuesday showed the balls were a hydrocarbon-based pollutant consistent with the makeup of tar balls, as was suspected, News.co.au said in an update. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said council staff were working to remove the balls from the beaches. Also read: Typhoon Gaemi: Oil tanker and cargo ship sink, huge oil spill risk in Manila Bay "Our community is rightfully very protective of our natural environment and this has been a very concerning incident," 9 News quoted Parker as saying. Since Tuesday when the balls were first noticed by lifeguards in Sydney's iconic Coogee beach, authorities had closed access to it, as well as the nearby Gordons Bay beach. Both beaches remained closed as of Wednesday evening. Cleaning crews are at work to clear the debris. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia solves mystery of black balls washing up after two Sydney beaches closed. Here is what they are

Sydney officials have launched a frantic search to capture a giant great white shark that devoured an ocean swimmer, sending shockwaves across Australia.

Police have deployed baits, dispatched drones to scour the ocean and launched spotters on boats to try to catch the creature, which is believed to be at least three metres (10 feet) in length.

The victim has been identified as a 35-year-old British man named Simon Nellist, BBC reported.

According to the UK news outlet, Nellist was a member of Sydney’s Scuba Diving Social Club and a regular swimmer at the beach.

Nellist was attacked on Wednesday afternoon off Little Bay in east Sydney.

A rescue helicopter and four ambulances were dispatched, but the victim couldn’t survive after suffering “catastrophic injuries”.

It was the first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 1963.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shark-attack-horror-sydney-beach-turns-red-as-swimmer-is-mauled-to-death-453795">Shark attack horror: Sydney beach turns red as swimmer is mauled to death</a>

“Based on footage provided by the public including eyewitness accounts... shark biologists believe that a White Shark, at least three metres in length, was likely responsible," the state government's Department of Primary Industries said.

The department announced that it was deploying “six SMART drumlines” around the beach.

Drum lines feature hooks loaded with bait and are used to trap sharks that can then be tagged and moved to deeper ocean away from the coast.

Their use is controversial because hooked animals have been known to die before being moved, and non-target species can become snagged.

Shark attacks in Sydney are uncommon because the city has long had nets and other deterrents in its waters.

According to local media reports, Australia typically records about 20 shark attacks each year, with most in New South Wales and Western Australia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sydney officials have launched a frantic search to capture a giant great white shark that devoured an ocean swimmer, sending shockwaves across Australia. Police have deployed baits, dispatched drones to scour the ocean and launched spotters on boats to try to catch the creature, which is believed to be at least three metres (10 feet) in length.

Sydney officials have launched a frantic search to capture a giant great white shark that devoured an ocean swimmer, sending shockwaves across Australia. Police have deployed baits, dispatched drones to scour the ocean and launched spotters on boats to try to catch the creature, which is believed to be at least three metres (10 feet) in length. The victim has been identified as a 35-year-old British man named Simon Nellist, BBC reported. According to the UK news outlet, Nellist was a member of Sydney’s Scuba Diving Social Club and a regular swimmer at the beach. Nellist was attacked on Wednesday afternoon off Little Bay in east Sydney. A rescue helicopter and four ambulances were dispatched, but the victim couldn’t survive after suffering “catastrophic injuries”. It was the first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 1963. Also read | Shark attack horror: Sydney beach turns red as swimmer is mauled to death “Based on footage provided by the public including eyewitness accounts... shark biologists believe that a White Shark, at least three metres in length, was likely responsible," the state government's Department of Primary Industries said. The department announced that it was deploying “six SMART drumlines” around the beach. Drum lines feature hooks loaded with bait and are used to trap sharks that can then be tagged and moved to deeper ocean away from the coast. Their use is controversial because hooked animals have been known to die before being moved, and non-target species can become snagged. Shark attacks in Sydney are uncommon because the city has long had nets and other deterrents in its waters. According to local media reports, Australia typically records about 20 shark attacks each year, with most in New South Wales and Western Australia. (With inputs from agencies)

Sydney officials on hunt for ‘giant’ white shark that ‘ate’ swimmer

A swimmer was killed after being fatally attacked by a shark off a popular Sydney beach on Wednesday, making it the first incident in nearly 60 years.

According to local media, the gruesome incident took place at Little Bay Beach around 4.35 pm (local time).

Emergency services were later rushed to the site after the visitors saw a man yelling for help as he was being attacked by the shark.

“Some guy was swimming, and a shark came and attacked him vertically," witness Kris Linto, told Nine news channel.

“We heard a yell and turned around it looked like a car had landed in the water, a big splash then the shark was chomping at the body and there was blood everywhere,” he added.

Rescue crews on jet skis and in boats found human remains in the water.

Another witness, who was fishing nearby, told ABC, “When he went down there were so many splashes.”

New South Wales Police have not yet identified the swimmer and have closed the Little Bay Beach for now.

“Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, with assistance from the Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW, attended and located human remains in the water,” a spokesperson said.

An ambulance spokesperson said paramedics were called to Little Bay but "unfortunately this patient had suffered catastrophic injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do".

Local media reported that the Wednesday shark attack was the first in Sydney since 1963.

(With inputs from agencies)

A swimmer was killed after being fatally attacked by a shark off a popular Sydney beach on Wednesday, making it the first incident in nearly 60 years. According to local media, the gruesome incident took place at Little Bay Beach around 4.

A swimmer was killed after being fatally attacked by a shark off a popular Sydney beach on Wednesday, making it the first incident in nearly 60 years. According to local media, the gruesome incident took place at Little Bay Beach around 4.35 pm (local time). Emergency services were later rushed to the site after the visitors saw a man yelling for help as he was being attacked by the shark. “Some guy was swimming, and a shark came and attacked him vertically," witness Kris Linto, told Nine news channel. “We heard a yell and turned around it looked like a car had landed in the water, a big splash then the shark was chomping at the body and there was blood everywhere,” he added. Rescue crews on jet skis and in boats found human remains in the water. Another witness, who was fishing nearby, told ABC, “When he went down there were so many splashes.” New South Wales Police have not yet identified the swimmer and have closed the Little Bay Beach for now. “Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, with assistance from the Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW, attended and located human remains in the water,” a spokesperson said. An ambulance spokesperson said paramedics were called to Little Bay but "unfortunately this patient had suffered catastrophic injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do". Local media reported that the Wednesday shark attack was the first in Sydney since 1963. (With inputs from agencies)

Shark attack horror: Sydney beach turns red as swimmer is mauled to death

Sydney beaches have closed after surgical face masks, plastic takeaway containers and air-conditioning ducts washed ashore from dozens of shipping containers which were lost at sea.

Sydney beaches have closed after surgical face masks, plastic takeaway containers and air-conditioning ducts washed ashore from dozens of shipping containers which were lost at sea. The materials came from the Singaporean-flagged APL England, a cargo ship that lost 40 containers on Sunday in rough seas off the NSW coast. Large swell caused the ship to roll and stacks of containers destabilised and fell into 2km-deep water, forcing the vessel to turn around and head towards Brisbane. A Randwick Council spokesperson confirmed that it is highly likely the beaches will be closed if debris continues to wash ashore. Debris from a container ship has washed up on many of our beaches, including Malabar (pictured). Our crews are out now, cleaning up. There may be submerged items in the water, so please don’t swim. Don’t pick up rubbish, let us know about it, it may not be safe for you. pic.twitter.com/REYnlObbcr — Randwick Council (@RandwickCouncil) May 27, 2020 × Waverley councillor Sally Betts noted that members of the community were collecting face masks and silver packages off the beach and placing them in bins. (With inputs from agencies)

Coronavirus: Face masks wash up on Sydney beaches after cargo ship lost containers

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Australia solves mystery of black balls washing up after two Sydney beaches closed. Here is what they are

Sydney officials on hunt for ‘giant’ white shark that ‘ate’ swimmer

Shark attack horror: Sydney beach turns red as swimmer is mauled to death

Coronavirus: Face masks wash up on Sydney beaches after cargo ship lost containers