VietNamNet Bridge – The authorities of Binh Dinh province have reported the oil spill in Quy Nhon city to the Prime Minister and the National Committee for Search and Rescue.

Binh Dinh seeks the source of oil spills


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The "suspect" of the oil spill in Quy Nhon.



Mr. Le Huu Loc, Binh Dinh’s Chairman said the oil spill, which took place a week ago in Quy Nhon, caused severe damage to fish breeders and affected tourism activities in Quy Nhon. The damage is estimated at over VND2 billion ($100,000). The case has been handed over to the local police for investigation.

On July 11, the authorities discovered several fishermen salvaging and tugging a ship carrying waste oil to Nhon Hai commune. Quy Nhon City Police examined the boat, collected oil samples for testing to define whether this is the source of the oil spill.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Kien Thiet, Deputy Chief of the Environment Police Department of Binh Dinh province said that the boat is made of wood, with no signs of damage, and there are many plastic drums containing used oil in the boat.

According to local people, this ship is owned by a resident in Le Loi Ward, Quy Nhon City. It was used to transport waste oil from cargo ships offshore to the port of Quy Nhon. When the ship was sunk in the waters of Hai Minh commune, it was tugged to the sea of Nhon Hai Commune by someone to destroy evidence. Nhon Hai fishermen accidentally found the ship. The ship owner has fled.

Binh Dinh’s Chairman Le Huu Loc added that the ship – the suspect of the oil spill – used the fake number and it was used to illegally transport used oil from cargo vessels to Quy Nhon port. If the police define that this ship is the culprit of the oil spill in Quy Nhon, the case will be prosecuted.

"The owner of this vessel will be prosecuted for the acts of smuggling waste oil and concealing the wreck, causing serious consequences and they will have to pay compensation for fish breeders," said Loc.

So far, about 50 tons of oil mixed with sand and soil has been collected on the coast of Quy Nhon.

Le Ha