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Oil patch contaminates southern Malta bay

Xinhua, June 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Malta's Civil Protection officers began cleaning the Pretty Bay in Birzebbuga, southern Malta after an oil contamination, according to local reports Friday.

In a statement, Kevin Barun, mayor of Birzebbuga's local council, said the environmental disaster occurred after a container carrying specialty base fluids was hit by machinery at Malta Freeport on Monday and started leaking.

The council was immediately informed of the incident and initial steps were taken.

The Maltese government said in a statement that the situation was under control, following an intervention by the Civil Protection Defense force.

However, it was reported that more oil was carried into the bay on Friday contaminating a large patch of sand.

Civil Protection officers are carrying out an operation by throwing oil absorbing pads into the water to remove the oil, which is expected to take hours.

Swimming in the bay has been temporarily suspended and the public are advised to avoid the area.

The Pretty Bay is by far one of the largest bays in Malta which has both a rocky and sandy area. Endit