Workers in protective coats and masks shovelled tainted sand into plastic sacks.
“All avenues of investigation are still open regarding the origin of the oil spill,” deputy prefect Raquel Ibáñez told reporters.
Maritime authorities are currently checking the area to ensure there was no other pollution in the sea, she added.
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The three beaches that have been closed are Saler, l’Arbre del Gos and Garrofera, all located in the Albufera Natural Park.
“The entire area where hydrocarbons were reported is now pollution-free, according to all the inspections we conducted yesterday and this morning,” said Ibáñez.
Approximately two kilometres of beach are affected by the spill. (Photo by Jose Jordan / AFP)
Professionals were collecting and analysing samples to assess the impact of the pollution, she said.
Fire service drones were flying over the coastline to check the extent of the incident, Juan Carlos Caballero of Valencia’s civil protection service wrote in a post at the local authority’s website.
The main aim was to get things back to normal and reopen the beaches, he added.
On Wednesday, local daily Levante EMV reported that dead birds have been found covered with fuel.
The cause of the spill remains unknown so far, although neighbourhood platform Ciutat-Port has pointed the finger at the high volume of maritime traffic in the area.