Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia is declaring a state of emergency after several of its beaches were contaminated by oil sludge.
Brazil's environmental agency reported Sunday that some 20 beaches in the state popular with tourists had been polluted by oil leaking from an unknown source since the beginning of September.
The mysterious oil has polluted at least 150 beaches in nine different states.
CORRECTS DATE - In this Oct. 7, 2019 handout photo released by the Aracaju Municipal Press Office, workers remove oil from Viral Beach, in Aracaju, Brazil. The oil that has been polluting Brazil's northeastern beaches since early September is likely coming from Venezuela, according to a report by Brazil's state oil company cited by the country's environment minister. The oil sludge has now reached 61 municipalities in nine Brazilian states, contaminating over 130 beaches, in what Brazilian officials have called an "unheard of" disaster. (Andre MoreiraAracaju Municipal Press Office via AP)
Brazil's environment minister has said the oil is very likely of Venezuela origin - a claim denied by Caracas - but authorities are still trying to determine the source of the leak.
The main hypothesis is that the oil spilled from a vessel passing near the Brazilian coast.
The Bahia government signed the declaration of the state of emergency on Monday.
In this Sept. 25, 2019 photo released by the Sergipe state Government, oil sludge pollutes the coast on Sergipe state, Brazil. Oil sludge started landing on Brazil's northeastern coast at the beginning of Sept., authorities say, and have now reached 61 municipalities in nine states, contaminating over 130 beaches. (Sergipe State Government via AP)
In this Sept. 25, 2019 photo released by the Sergipe state Government, spilt oil lays on the beach on Sergipe state, Brazil. Oil sludge started landing on Brazil's northeastern coast at the beginning of Sept., authorities say, and have now reached 61 municipalities in nine states, contaminating over 130 beaches. (Sergipe State Government vi aAP)