Earlier, fishermen in the central province of Quảng Nam’s Núi Thành District said oil clumps appeared along the coast on February 6, polluting beaches.

Hundreds of workers from Quảng Nam Urban Environment Joint Stock Company and relevant agencies have been mobilised to collect oil.

Trần Đình Minh, head of Núi Thành District’s Environment and Natural Resources Office, said the collection of oil was conducted promptly before the clumps melted under the scorching heat, causing difficulties for oil collectors.

Immediately upon receiving information about the incident, district authorities teamed up with the provincial Environment and Natural Resources department to set up a team to inspect the scene, he said.

According to the inspection team, the oil clump, which is between 0.5 and 10cm, spread some 7km along the coast from Rạng Beach in Tam Quang Commune to Chu Lai Resort in Tam Nghĩa Commune on February 6.

Oil clumps were also found on the garbage, such as plastic bags, bottles and beverage cans, once the tide receded, the team said.

Because an oil clump is harmful, it will be collected and tackled in accordance with State regulations.

The cause of this phenomenon is yet to be determined, the team said.