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Pre-investigation probe launched into oil leak into Angara River

A spot of diesel fuel formed in the Angara River as a result of the incident

IRKUTSK, April 26 (Itar-Tass) — The investigative authorities of the Irkutsk Region have started a probe into the fact of leaking of about 2 tonnes of oil products that occurred on Wednesday night as a result of an illegal tie-in at an enterprise of the Pribaikalye plant of the Russian Federal State Reserve Agency (Rosrezerv), the RF Investigative Committee’s (SK) investigation department for the region reported on Thursday.

A spot of diesel fuel formed in the Angara River as a result of the incident. According to preliminary information, it could reach in length up to 10 kilometres. On Wednesday night, the water intake in the Cheremkhovsky district of the Baikal area was shut off. It provides cold water supply to three localities – the Cheremkhovo and Svirsk towns, as well as Mikhailovka village with the total population of more than 77,500. The drinking water supply in tank trucks has been organised there.

“The investigators are to find out the extent of the environmental damage caused by the spill and hazard to the local population. Investigators and criminalists of the Russian SK regional department are working at the site,” the department said.

The Illegal tie-in in the oil pipeline has been found and liquidated.

Specialists of the Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) and other services have been engaged in eliminating the consequences of the petroleum products’ spill.