Residents found the authorities' cleanup efforts in Tuapse insufficient.

The beaches in Gizel-Dere, near Kiseleva Balka, are contaminated with oil products, but no one is cleaning them up; residents intend to clean up themselves. Meanwhile, authorities reported the removal of 19,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil from the coast near Tuapse.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," by May 4, according to Kuban authorities, more than 17,000 cubic meters of fuel oil, contaminated soil, and a water-fuel oil mixture had been collected in Tuapse, including more than 1,800 cubic meters in the past 24 hours. Today, authorities reported that more than 18,500 cubic meters of oil-contaminated soil had been removed from the coast in Tuapse.

Pollution has expanded its reach

The Transparent World Project analyzed a Sentinel-1 radar image from May 2, received at 6:19 PM Moscow time. Film-like pollution is visible in the waters opposite Tuapse's central beach. It is located in the sea but remains close to the shoreline, according to the publication. On May 5, the project's authors noted that, given the wind direction, some of the pollution could again reach the shore, so further oil spills onto the beach are possible.

Pollution near Tuapse's central beach, which was spotted in a satellite image on May 2, appears to have reached Gizel-Dere, environmentalist Zhora Kavanosyan commented. According to him, Gizel-Dere residents will clean up the coastline on May 8, 9, and 10. Equipment will be used at the children's beach, while volunteers plan to cover other areas.

Elena posted a video in the "Razliv na svyazi" Telegram chat from the beach in Gisel-Dere, where the rocks are covered in black, oily stains.

"From Vesna to Gisel-Dere, it's downright sad," commented Vladislav.

Ecologist and director of environmental programs for the organization "Green Patrol" Roman Pukalov reported that he had been contacted by Lidiya Skripchenko, a resident of the Primorsky microdistrict, who emphasized the need to clean up the uninhabited beach near the "Kadosh Forest Park" natural monument (Kiselevaya Skala area). "It's a little north of Tuapse, a couple of kilometers," he explained.

According to her, the section of beach from Primorskoye to the rescue station behind Kiseleva Rock is contaminated with oil products. However, she noted that they don't yet have an organized group of volunteers. "There are no shovels, protective suits, respirators, gloves, bags, etc. They lack experience, but they have the drive. They are unstoppable. "Our hearts bleed for these wild beaches; we spent our entire childhood here," the ecologist quoted a local resident as saying.

Officials report on pollution cleanup

The Krasnodar Krai task force reported today that nearly 19,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and water-oil mixture following an oil spill have been collected in Tuapse. The total number of forces and resources involved in the emergency response is 767 people and 89 pieces of equipment, including from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, authorities reported.

The Tuapse mayor's office reported that in the village of Novomikhaylovsky alone, about 2 kilometers of coastal strip have been cleared. 11 trucks of contaminated soil.

On May 1, a fire broke out at the Tuapse sea terminal after a drone attack. It was extinguished on May 2. This fire was the fourth in Tuapse since April 16. Earlier, on April 24, after booms broke due to rising water levels in the Tuapse River, an oil spill occurred into the Black Sea.

A series of attacks on Tuapse's oil infrastructure has led to environmental consequences, according to the Caucasian Knot report "Fires and "oil rain": the main news about the environmental disaster in Tuapse".

Across the entire Tuapse District, aregulatory order is in effect. Regional emergency situation. For more information on emergency assessment criteria, response levels, structures, and resources for eliminating the consequences, please see the "Caucasian Knot" document "Emergency Situation (ES) Regime" (Emergency Situation) Regime (Emergency Situation)".

Caucasian Knot has compiled materials on the "Eco-Disaster in Kuban" page "Eco-Disaster in Kuban".