Australia probes mystery space balls that washed up on beach

Authorities in Australia are investigating the origins of mysterious large silver spheres that washed up on a beach in northern Queensland this weekend.

Six solid objects discovered at Forrest Beach, north of Townsville, are thought to be space debris and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) is now trying to determine where they came from. The BBC has approached the agency for comment.

The crew in protective clothing was seen placing the spheres in hazardous material barrels under police supervision, out of concern that they might contain hazardous substances.

A 50-metre exclusion zone remains in place, the Queensland fire service said on Sunday, urging anyone who finds a suspicious object in the area not to touch it.

It was stated that people who encounter these should immediately move away and call emergency services.

There is some speculation online that the spheres were propellant tanks for the spacecraft and thus may contain highly flammable or reactive material residue.

However, it remains unclear which vehicle or owner these came from.