Better call out that airborne Mediterranean pollution surveillance crew Tafline just wrote about! Last Tuesday, an oil tanker delivering fuel to a power plant in the Turkish Cypriot-controlled north of Cyprus spilled approximately 40 tons of oil into the Mediterranean Sea.
In a separate report, officials estimated more than 100 tons of oil were spilled near pristine coastline, threatening wildlife and tourism facilities. There has been no explanation for the conflicting fuel estimates.
A spill barrier has been established but officials, anticipating additional leakage, are seeking to extend it, Turkish Cypriot Environment Minister Mehmet Harmanci told Reuters in a telephone interview. He described the risk as “ongoing”.
According to Harmanci, power plant owner Aksa Enerji pins the spill on a pressure problem or an improper connection in the pumping process. Human error has not been ruled out.
Local authorities were struggling to contain the slick which extends for 4.5 miles along the Karpasia peninsula. Clean-up materials, including oil-absorbing solvents, were ordered from Turkey but, as of this writing, delivery has been delayed.
The Karpasia peninsula, which stretches approximately 50 miles, boasts unspoilt beaches and a rich variety of wildlife. The area is a recognized nature reserve that serves as a breeding ground for rare turtles, with July and August the most critical months for spawning.
It is one of the last undeveloped areas in Cyprus, in large part due to stalled development attributed to international sanctions that stunt the northern Cypriot economy. The region’s biggest tourism area, the nearby town of Bafra, is also threatened.
As reported by World Bulletin, only Turkey recognizes the Turkish Cypriot administration, while the rest of the world sees the Greek Cypriot government as the sole authority in the island. Cyprus was divided between Turkish and Greek Cypriots in1974, when Turkish forces invaded in the wake of a short-lived coup by Greek Cypriots seeking union with Greece.
Aksa said operations at the Kalecik power station were unaffected.
Image of dead bird in oil spill from Shutterstock; Cyprus oil spill cleanup from World Bulletin
Why is the entire global oil industry so extremely accident-prone? I suggest it’s because oil executives and managers are always looking for ways to cut costs, like safety procedures.