Medical waste, needles wash up on Venice Beach shoreline

Los Angeles Fire Department officials were investigating after a large number of medical supplies, including needles, were found along the shoreline of Venice Beach. The investigation prompted an hours-long beach closure. 

The Lifeguard Division of the fire department discovered the supplies around 11:30 a.m. just south of the Venice Beach pier Sunday and immediately closed off the area. Lifeguards notified several agencies including the public health department. 

Cleanup on the beach was underway and lifeguards continue to monitor the area. The shoreline was reopened late Sunday.

It was not immediately known where or how the medical supplies ended up on the shore.