On July 30, Swedish coast guards are working to clear up an oil spill that was caused by heavy winds after a large freight ship ran aground off the country’s southeastern coast.
What happened?
On July 13, the freight ship ‘Makassar Highway’ ran aground and started leaking oil. Initially, the coast guard was able to contain the spillage but heavy winds over the weekend resulted in oil leaking into the Baltic Sea, before the salvage operation could begin.
The chief officer on the freight ship was arrested on Monday after the accident, but was later released after he was fined for intoxication and negligence in maritime traffic.
On Sunday, the oil had reached some small islands in the Archipelago area, including a nature reserve, close to Valdemarsvik in southeast Sweden.
Estimated oil spill
The Swedish Coast guard estimated that a total of 14,000 litres of oil had spilled but around half of the total amount has already been removed from the water.
Roger Gebauer from the coast guard said, “We are doing everything we can to prevent any more oil from reaching land. The leak had reportedly stopped by Monday afternoon, but the beach cleanup operation was ongoing, with more than 100 people working to remove the oil, including from the armed forces, the coast guard, rescue services, and volunteers”.
Public warned
The members of the public were warned by the members of the public in the archipelago area between Loftahammar and Valdemarsvik to avoid any contact with the oil on land or in water, and to remove it and clean themselves if any contact occurred. The coast guard also blocked off part of the water between the mainland and Huvudskär islands. Barriers have been placed to protect the public and create a calm working environment for the staff at the scene.
No injuries reported
The ship is planned to be taken to Oskarshamn, but this can only happen once the damaged tank has been emptied of oil and divers have ensured there is no risk of further oil spills.
There have been no reports of birds injured by the spill, but the organization KVF, which assists with birds and animals affected by oil spills and other catastrophes, was on hand to help treat any injured wildlife.
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Source: The Local
