The sinking of a ship carrying some 20,000 litres of diesel off the coast of Greenland has caused an oil spill that firefighters are trying to contain in nearby fjords, police in the Danish autonomous territory announced on Friday, September 20.
“Oil films are visible on the water surface in the Nanortalik fjords due to a ship leak Adolfo Jensenwhich sank yesterday morning » The ship sank after hitting rocks on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, police said in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse (AFP). All those on board were able to be evacuated during the sinking.
IAdolfo JensenA 30-metre-long cruise ship flying the Greenlandic flag and capable of carrying up to 12 passengers, its tank contained between 15,000 and 20,000 litres of diesel, to which was added 1,000 litres of petrol.
An oil spill that is difficult to contain
Despite the immediate deployment of a bomb and a floating barrier within a 50-meter perimeter around the sinking area, “There was an oil spill in the fjord”due to “Problems related to tides, wind and ocean currents”Police said firefighters had received additional equipment to contain the leak.
The Ministry of Civil Protection and Environment also requested assistance from the Danish Navy’s Arctic Command to recover and treat the spilled diesel.
Police have asked all people and boats present in the area to “use caution and navigate slowly to minimize disturbances on the water”.
Contacted by AFP, Rasmus Christian Rasmussen, president and CEO of 60 North, owner ofAdolfo JensenHe didn’t want to react. “I have no comment to make, I don’t know what happened. I need to speak to the police and my team.”declared.
