Beaches in Spain's Valencia region closed after "unknown material" washes ashore

Mysterious white particles that washed up onto a small section of southeast Spain's Valencian coast prompted authorities to close a handful of beaches on Monday as a precaution.

The local administration in Guardamar de la Safor, in the Gandia district of southern Valencia, said in a social media post that at least four area beaches would remain closed due to a "possible marine spill affecting our area, with an unknown material present in the sand."

The administration initially urged people not to swim until the material was identified and any risks it presents have been determined, but in a subsequent post it said the beaches would be closed.