Petroleum spill in Hamburg harbour triggers environmental crisis

At least 42,000 litres of petroleum products have spilled into the Kattwykhafen channel, located near the container port in Hamburg, Germany, causing significant environmental concerns.

The spill originated from a tank situated within the premises of Green Port, a company specializing in waste management, including the collection, transport, storage, and recycling of liquid residues from oil distillation, Caliber.Az reports citing German media.

The exact cause of the spill remains under investigation, with authorities still working to determine the circumstances leading to the incident. In response, emergency services have already managed to contain over 90,000 cubic metres of contaminated water, but the situation remains critical.

To prevent further spread of the oil, floating barriers have been deployed to control its movement. Additionally, a permanent water-air barrier has been strategically placed to prevent the contaminated water from flowing into the main Elbe canal. The operation is being closely monitored by a police helicopter equipped with special cameras to ensure the situation is contained and no further damage occurs.

Authorities are continuing to assess the environmental impact of the spill and take all necessary measures to mitigate the effects on the local ecosystem.

By Vafa Guliyeva