A Queensland beach has been shut off to the public after a mystery object, believed to be space junk, was discovered washed up on the shore.<\/p>\n
Authorities were called to Forrest Beach about 2.25pm Friday after \u201cpotentially toxic\u201d debris was found washed up on the sand.<\/p>\n
It is thought the objects may have been debris from a crashed satellite, potentially hydrogelic propellant, an eco-friendly fuel commonly used to power the orbiting kit.<\/p>\n
Following the discovery, the beach, which sits about 80km north of Townsville, was shut down by authorities while work was carried out to remote the debris.<\/p>\n
And while this task has now been completed, the beach remains cordoned off until confirmation of its source has been given.<\/p>\n
Queensland\u2019s fire department has confirmed the objects have been taken away by specialists after being located by beachgoers.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmergency services, including Queensland Fire and Rescue crews, responded to Forrest Beach at about 4:15pm on Friday, after multiple objects were located on the beach by members of the public who alerted local authorities,\u201d a spokesman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cQueensland Fire and Rescue crews, including specialist scientific teams, packed one of the objects away last night, and another two this morning. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe objects have been safely secured in drums.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe area is safe and there is no risk to the public, however a 50-metre exclusion zone remains.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a safety precaution, members of the public have been prohibited from a 50m area running between Taylor\u2019s Beach and the Forrest Beach boat ramp.<\/p>\n
Investigations to properly identify the objects remain under way.<\/p>\n