13:00 Latvia affected by Belarus oil leak
Latvian environment experts are trying to prevent River Zakhodnija Dzvina (Daugava in Latvia) from getting further contaminated with the diesel leaked from Belarus. Slick bars were put near the city of Daugavpils, but some of the slicks managed to penetrate further into the river, Ainar Pentis, the chief of the Latvian emergency service, told BNS news agency.
According to the latest reports, the slick has already reached the town of Livana. Rescuers plan to collect fuel oil, using the bars near a local hydropower plant, where the river current slows down.
Latvia also said contamination continued coming from Belarus and sent an official letter to Minsk, requesting information how much petrochemical products were exactly leaked to the river.
Due to the accident on the Unecha-Ventspils fuel pipeline in the northern Belarus on March 23, around 125 cubic meters of diesel leaked to River Zakhodniaja Dzvina. The pipeline is owned by the Russian company Zapadtransnefteprodukt, reports Interfax.
According to the latest reports, the slick has already reached the town of Livana. Rescuers plan to collect fuel oil, using the bars near a local hydropower plant, where the river current slows down.
Latvia also said contamination continued coming from Belarus and sent an official letter to Minsk, requesting information how much petrochemical products were exactly leaked to the river.
Due to the accident on the Unecha-Ventspils fuel pipeline in the northern Belarus on March 23, around 125 cubic meters of diesel leaked to River Zakhodniaja Dzvina. The pipeline is owned by the Russian company Zapadtransnefteprodukt, reports Interfax.
