BEACHGOERS IRRITATED BUT MOST UNDETERRED
While Sentosa’s beaches at Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong remain open to the public, swimming and sea activities were not allowed for the time being.
There were several cleaners plying Tanjong Beach with shovels and black garbage bags, dredging some of the oil and pollutants into the bags.
Mr Jeremy Teng, who was having a staycation at a Sentosa hotel, told CNA that he had gone to several beaches with his wife and three young children to assess the situation, before finding a spot a safe distance away from the water.
He said the smell was a health concern and that he may cut short his time at the beach.
“We were hoping to spend a bit more time at the beach, but it is out of our control,” said the 44-year-old HR manager.
His children were playing on the sand a distance away from the blackened waters, but Mr Teng said he had to explain why they couldn’t go near the water.
“When they could see the oil and the blackening of the water, they understood (why they can’t play),” he said.
Teacher Debbie Chew had travelled to the beach at about 11am to reserve a spot to play beach volleyball with her friends but was surprised by the pungent smell of the oil.
“There was a strong smell when I was on the tram (to the beach), and when I got here it was already barricaded, and I realised it was the smell coming from the petroleum,” said the 22-year-old.
She said they did not hesitate to continue playing and the stench eventually waned, although one of her friends went home early as he felt dizzy from the smell. They were also worried about the volleyball potentially rolling into the water.
Foreign visitors were also left disappointed.
German Stefan Schmidt was in Singapore for a work trip. He only had one free day to explore the city.
“I just looked at the map of Singapore, and thought that I could go to a beach just to explore a little bit,” said the 60-year-old physicist. “I didn’t expect it, but I guess not every day is like this.”
