// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Oil spill closes 18 beaches across Kent
Thanet District Council said it is trying to determine the source of the oil deposits
Eighteen beaches in Kent have been closed after "significant deposits of oil" were found along the coastline.
Popular tourist beaches at Margate and Ramsgate are among the areas affected by the spill.
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.
The local authority said the decision to close access to beaches "had not been taken lightly".
A spokesperson for TDC urged people, particularly dog walkers, to avoid the affected areas, and to report any deposits of oil on beaches to the authority.
It added that it was working with the Marine and Coastguard Agency to remove the deposits from all of the affected beaches, and that samples would be collected and analysed.
Coastguard aircraft have been flying over the affected area as part of the search.
Early theories for the spill include a ship having washed out its engine, or the oil having come from a wreck which has broken up.
John Nichols, former chairman of the Thanet Fisherman's Association, said he thought the oil had "most likely come from a wartime wreck and engine fuel".