Plastic pellets known as nurdles have been discovered on Littlehaven beach after a crane at South Shields Port of Tyne collapsed when it was struck by a ship at about 13:00 BST on Sunday. South Tyneside Council confirmed the pellets were noticed on the shoreline the following day and urged people not to handle them and to keep dogs on leads.
Local response and safety advice
The council said it is working with the Environment Agency, a maritime authority and the Port of Tyne to determine the extent of contamination and any environmental harm. It also said specialist contractors would be engaged to support any clean-up activity.
- Incident: ship collided with a crane at South Shields Port of Tyne
- Time of collision: approximately 13:00 BST on Sunday
- Pellets found: Littlehaven beach on Monday
- Injuries: one man taken to hospital, injuries not believed to be life-threatening
What we know so far
The port incident caused the crane to collapse onto part of a container vessel. A member of the public or crew was taken to hospital; authorities have said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The discovery of nurdles on the sand raises concerns because these small plastic beads can be mistaken for food by wildlife and are difficult to remove once dispersed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | South Shields Port of Tyne / Littlehaven beach |
| Time of collision | About 13:00 BST, Sunday |
| Pellets reported | Monday |
| Agencies involved | South Tyneside Council, Environment Agency, maritime authority, Port of Tyne |
Practical information for residents and visitors
Those visiting Littlehaven are being urged to avoid touching the pellets and to keep dogs on leads to prevent them ingesting the plastic. The council has said it will support any clean-up carried out by specialists; meanwhile residents are asked to report sightings to local authorities rather than attempting to clear the material themselves.
The full environmental impact will depend on how widely the pellets have dispersed and how quickly contractors can respond. Authorities will continue to coordinate on assessment and remediation work as information becomes available.
We will update this report as the council and partner agencies release further details about the clean-up plan and any public-safety measures.
