500 Kilos of Oil Products Spill into Moskva River

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax) – An accident in western Moscow resulted in about 500 kilograms of oil products being spilled into the Moskva River, with the pollution area extending to 700 square meters, the press service of the Moscow City Prosecutor’s Office told Interfax on Friday.

“Early reports say that about half a tonne of oil products flowed into the river from a water drainage pipe on the grounds of Moscow’s western port at about 3:00 p.m. on Thursday,” the spokesman said.

“The leak was promptly enclosed by floating booms. Special vessels were used to remove the oil spill,” the spokesman said.

An investigation should establish the causes for the spill and who was responsible, he said.

Earlier, the city administration told Interfax the spill had been localized and there was no threat to the environment.

Meanwhile, Oleg Mitvol, deputy chief of the Rosprirodnadzor environmental protection watchdog, told Interfax the spill had not been eliminated. He also said the source of the pollution has not been established.