Tourists reported the presence of fuel oil and sand problems on Anapa beaches.

Vacationers reported finding fragments of fuel oil on Anapa beaches, and imported sand containing clay, which is difficult to remove from clothing. Tourists also complained of algae and marshy areas.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," a video circulated on social media earlier claiming a child had been found with a fuel oil stain on his body after playing in the sand on one of Anapa's beaches. Commenters on Anapa public groups called the video staged. It is impossible to determine where, by whom, and when the video was filmed, or whether it is staged, they noted.

A complaint from a vacationer about the presence of petroleum products on one of Anapa's beaches was reported today by "Krasnodar Online." "We found fuel oil in a shell," the tourist explained.

Another tourist noted that the sand they brought home was significantly different from sea sand. "This imported sand is construction sand, with chunks of clay. It barely comes off clothes. In some places on the beach, swampy areas have formed because of this sand, and they're already rotting. There's no longer a beach as such. Walking around in sneakers is fine, but otherwise, it's a disaster," the publication quoted a vacationer as saying.

Another tourist complained about the algae. "It's early June, and the sea is already covered in algae, a veritable seaweed slurry in some places, and more or less clean in others. They've brought in quarry sand and are working hard to smooth it out. While we were there, employees, probably from some laboratory, were taking water samples. Where the Anapka River flows into the sea, the water is a brownish-brown color. I don't know why," he said.

"The beach is small, a bit untidy, and smells of mud. But overall, if there aren't many people, it's fine to swim," one vacationer said of Vysokiy Bereg beach in Anapa.

Some other tourists said they were satisfied with the condition of the beaches, according to the publication.

As a reminder, a government commission previously reported that 49 beaches in Anapa had been reopened after being filled with sand, with another 18 undergoing inspection. In the absence of clear data on test results, officials' statements should not be trusted unconditionally, social media users noted. Meanwhile, bloggers are posting photos and videos of beaches packed with tourists.

The "Caucasian Knot" also reported that three officials on June 6 assured the safety of Anapa's beaches, comparing them to the French Riviera and the sand to Thailand.

The officials' statements are unsubstantiated, and the prolonged refilling of the beaches with new sand is discouraging tourists, Telegram users noted. The following day, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister stated that a decision on opening Anapa's beaches could be made on June 15. Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev commented on the summer vacation season, stating that fuel oil "has always been present" on beaches. Telegram users found the regional governor's reasoning absurd. Scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Oceanology have documented layers of fuel oil near Dzhemete, as well as shellfish and crustaceans contaminated with it.

On December 15, 2024, two tankers carrying fuel oil sank in the Kerch Strait. A crew member from one of the tankers died as a result. In addition, an oil spill occurred, leading to catastrophic environmental consequences, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Fuel Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait".

Materials on the consequences of the fuel oil spill have been collected by the "Caucasian Knot" on the page "Eco-disaster in Kuban".

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