The marine contamination advisory council of the Canary Islands' government activated a special plan on Saturday to close four beaches on the coast of Arafo, Güímar and Candelaria, in Tenerife, to the public, although they deny that the sea is actually contaminated.
The region's vice-counselor for the Environment, Blanca Pérez, explained that the special plan had been activated in the wake of last week's fuel leak at a laundry on an industrial estate in Güímar, which saw 30,000 litres of fuel spilled into the surrounding area.
After meeting with the advisory council, Pérez activated the plan and firefighters built a dam which the authorities say has been "very efficient" at dispersing the spillage.
According to the government spokesperson, small patches of fuel have been found in the sea, but have now dispersed.
Nevertheless, the following beaches will remain closed to the public until tomorrow as a precaution: El Socorro in Güímar; La Viuda and Samarines in Candelaria, and Lima beach in Arafo.
