Oil spill closes 18 beaches across Kent

Thanet District Council (TDC) reported the incident on Wednesday evening and the Environmental Agency (EA) is investigating. The source of the oil has not been identified.

A spokesperson for TDC urged people, particularly dog walkers, to avoid the affected areas, and to report any deposits of oil on beaches to them. A spokesperson for the EA said: "We're working with the local council and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to investigate the source of this pollution, assess any environmental impacts and take any action that is required to reduce its impact.

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