Oil spill in Ittoqqortoormiit: The oil has spread

Back in May, the police received a report of a large oil spill near Ittoqqortoormiit. Now, Kommuneqafik Sermersooq writes that the oil has spread to the sea.

– Information has now been received that the diesel oil has spread to the sea. This is confirmed by a video circulating on social media. The municipality has not verified the content of the video itself, but is taking the concern seriously.

This is what Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq writes on Facebook about the oil spill near Ittoqqortoormiit, which was discovered and reported on May 21.

At that time, the police chief, Preben Kleist, reported that 22,000 liters of diesel oil gushed out from the emergency generator in the city.

– We received the report of an oil spill on the Nukissiorfiit large tank. We have also had the fire department involved, Preben Kleist said in May.

Sermersooq Municipality states that they are still working to get the oil pollution under control together with Nukissiorfiit and other authorities. However, the material that will be used to collect the oil has not yet arrived. However, it has been ordered, the municipality writes.

In addition, they urge all citizens of Ittoqqortoormiit to avoid direct contact with the oil on land and in the water.

– The municipality is monitoring the situation closely and will continuously inform citizens about new measures and assessments, the municipality writes.

KNR has asked the police whether they know the cause of the oil spill. They have promised to get back to us on our inquiry.