Bunches of bananas have washed up on beaches in West Sussex after containers fell from a cargo ship in the Solent. The public has been urged to stay away while authorities coordinate a cleanup operation.
Sixteen containers went overboard from the refrigerated vessel Baltic Klipper on Saturday, disrupting shipping movements in the area. Eight containers were carrying bananas, two plantains, one avocados, and five were empty. Some containers broke open, releasing fruit into the sea.
HM Coastguard initially warned that all wreck material must be reported to the receiver of wreck, but the office clarified that perishable goods do not need to be flagged. However, West Sussex County Council, leading the cleanup, asked people to avoid the area due to potential hazards from damaged containers.
By Monday evening, 11 containers had washed ashore at Selsey, Pagham Harbour, and Bognor Regis. The council warned that the fruit may be unfit for consumption and advised anyone who took fruit home to discard it immediately.
The Baltic Klipper had loaded fruit in South America in mid-November and was near Portsmouth when the containers slipped off. Tesco labels were spotted on some bananas, but the supermarket assured customers of good availability in stores.
