'We can deal with this', say Greek authorities following oil spill near Athens.
ADVERTISEMENTGreek authorities have assured the public they are doing all they can to clean up an oil spill coating large parts of the coastline near Athens.
Viscous, foul-smelling oil has been seeping into the water following the sinking of a small tanker last weekend.
“What is important is that we can deal with this, so there will be no irreversible consequences to the environment. There will be no degradation of the marine ecosystem or of the area’s biodiversity and it can be dealt with using the technical instruments we have,” said Greece’s Deputy Environment Minister, Socrates Famellos.
The area is home to a wide variety of marine wildlife.
The tanker was anchored in calm seas and was carrying 2,200 tons of fuel oil and 370 tons of marine gas oil, when it went down near the main port of Piraeus. Two crew members were rescued.