Good news for holidaymakers and businesses: the ban on accessing beaches affected by the recent oil spill has officially been lifted. As of January 1, 2026 , beach and fishing activities will resume as normal.

A look back at the incident

It all began on the night of December 27, 2025 , at 10:05 PM. During a leak test on the facilities of the Ivorian Refinery Company (SIR) off the coast of Vridi (Port-Bouët), a leak of light crude oil occurred at the "Buoy 2".

The current rapidly carried the debris eastward, impacting several key areas:

1. Grand-Bassam
2. Azuretti
3. Gbaméné
4. Modest
5. Mondoukou

A swift and effective intervention

Faced with the ecological threat, CIAPOL (Ivorian Anti-Pollution Center) immediately took action. Emergency measures made it possible to secure the coastline through:

1. Intensive cleaning of soiled areas.
2. The complete elimination of hydrocarbon residues.
3. Rigorous health analyses to guarantee the safety of bathers.

Key points to remember for the restart

The Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition confirms that pollution levels are now in line with international standards .

"Swimming, fishing and water sports activities can resume normally from Thursday, January 1, 2026."

However, vigilance remains essential. The ministry announced that enhanced environmental monitoring will be maintained across the entire affected area to prevent any residual risks and ensure the long-term protection of the marine ecosystem.