Israel Clears Greek Tanker Over Mediterranean Oil Spill
Umer Jamshaid Published February 28, 2021 | 02:40 PM
Jerusalem, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Feb, 2021 ) :Israeli authorities said Sunday they had cleared a Greek tanker of suspicion in relation to an oil spill that caused massive tar pollution on the Mediterranean coastline, devastating marine life.
It is seen as Israel's worst maritime pollution incident in decades.
Powerful winds and unusually high waves pummelled Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline on February 17, with tonnes of tar staining 160 kilometres (96 miles) of beach from its borders with the Gaza Strip to Lebanon.
Volunteers have teamed up with authorities to clean the beaches, while officials from the environmental protection ministry launched an investigation into the source of the spill.
After an Israeli media report had named the Greek oil tanker Minerva Helen as a possible culprit, the ship's owner, Minerva Marine Inc., firmly denied any involvement.
On Sunday, the ministry said "following an inspection conducted in Greece on the Minerva Helen tanker, it has been cleared of suspicion of involvement in the severe tar event on Israel's beaches".
The ship's owner said the Israeli media report was an "unfounded an inaccurate allegation".
It stated that the ship had been in the Mediterranean in the days before the storm, "without any cargo on board" and therefore could not be linked to a spill.
The company also pledged to "cooperate with any relevant authority" interested in the Minerva Helen's movements.
On Saturday in the Greek port city of Piraeus, Israeli inspectors conducted "an extensive examination" of the Minerva Helen that "positively ruled out the vessel as the source of the pollution," the environmental protection ministry said in a statement.
The investigation was conducted in coordination with Greek authorities, with assistance from the Hellenic Coast Guard, the ministry said.
"We're committed to take all the efforts to locate the ship behind the pollution on Israel's coast," Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel said in a statement.
"This pollution has a source, and we won't accept an environmental felony," she said.
According to the ministry, there were currently "dozens" of vessels under suspicion, with Israeli inspectors, aided in some cases by international bodies, already ruling out around 10 of them.
Recent Stories
Israel carries out attack inside Iran, report US media
Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence calls on army chief
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 April 2024
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
2 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago