Beachgoers along the Sussex coast have been met with a bizarre sight this week, as a cargo spill has led to a wave of unexpected items, including fresh vegetables and bottles of alcohol, washing ashore.
From Celeriac to Gin: The Unusual Beachcombing Bounty
The phenomenon began after Storm Goretti battered the south coast with high tides and strong winds. The storm exacerbated an existing situation involving shipping containers that fell from a vessel near the Isle of Wight last year. Local resident Wednesday Holmes documented the scene in a TikTok video on January 19, 2026, expressing her surprise at finding netted bags filled with celeriac, alongside individual cabbages, onions, and limes scattered across the shingle.
"There's not much of a bounty on this side, but on the other side of the beach... there's big, fat sweet potatoes, oranges and lemons," Holmes reported. She also claimed other residents had found unopened bottles of gin and beer, with one dog walker collecting limes to make chutney.
A Widespread Spill Along the Coast
The incident is not isolated to Brighton. Social media users reported similar findings along the coast in Seaford and Newhaven. Another TikTok user, Jess Glynn, confirmed the extent of the spill, stating the cargo ship was "completely full of fresh produce." She listed carrots, potatoes, bags of coconuts, milk, and cans of beer among the items coming ashore.
Glynn also urged the public to help collect non-decomposing waste, sharing that she had filled a bucket with plastic, rope, and polystyrene. However, this advice was soon countered by an official warning from the local authority.
Council Issues Stern Safety Warning to Public
Brighton & Hove City Council has actively warned people against interacting with the debris. While stating the materials are not inherently hazardous, the council highlighted a high risk of contamination from seawater and broken container parts.
The authority issued clear guidance for public safety:
- Keep out of the water and away from the water’s edge.
- Keep pets on a lead and away from washed-ashore items, noting that onions can be harmful to dogs.
- Avoid handling any debris and do not take items home.
Council teams and contractors are now working to clear the significant amount of debris, a process they say will take time due to the spread of items and the bulky nature of some container pieces. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of maritime incidents and severe weather on the UK's coastline.
