Russia Declares State of Emergency: Arctic Oil Spill could Endanger Lives

Arctic Oil Spill: President Vladimir Putin has declared a state of emergency in a region within close range to Arctic Circle in the far northern province of Russia after nearly 20,000 tons of oil leaked into a river from a power plant.

Arctic Oil Spill Russia Authorities Found out About the Incident from Social Media

The spillage occurred on May 29th as per the reports, when the “oil products” leaked from a tank in an industrial plant operated in that area by a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel, as per the reports the world’s largest producer of palladium, nickel, platinum, and copper.

President Putin discussed the incident with officials on Wednesday, according to the Kremlin,

“The accident took place at the industrial site of the Nadezhdinski Metallurgical Plant, and part of the spilled petrochemicals, a considerable amount actually, seeped into the Ambarnaya River,”

as per the reports, Kremlin questioned the measures being taken to clean up the fuel leak within the Arctic Circle.

President Vladimir Putin was shocked beyond words reportedly when he learned that local authorities had found out about the incident from social media two days after it happened, the news of the spill emerged on T.V and was covered by local news reporters, the headlines made it global only after two days.

The President also warned the region’s governor Alexander Uss to stay diligent next time, Reuters reported. 

“What are we to learn about emergency situations from social networks? Are you alright health-wise over there?”

Putin said, the news agency reported on Wednesday. Putin had then reportedly supported a proposal to declare a national state of emergency in the area as it would assist the clean-up effort. 

“The accident was caused by a sudden sinking of supporting posts in the basement of the storage tank and that emergency teams immediately arrived at the site to start to clean up works. It said the spill happened in a remote area and that no local community had been impacted,”

says Norilsk Nickel on its website.

“A regional emergency situation has been declared in the city of Norilsk and Taymir region. An emergency response team has been set up chaired by the city mayor of Norilsk,”

the company said, adding that it was trying to limit damage to the local environment.  It said a special team had been brought in to deal with the oil spill.

The company further added,

“In total, Norilsk Nickel has mobilized 250 personnel and 72 equipment items to work on the liquidation. As of June 3, a total of 262 tons of diesel fuel has been collected near HHP-3 (the power plant), a total of 800 cubic meters of contaminated soil has been removed and approximately 80 tons of fuel has been collected from the spill to Ambarnaya River.”

Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched its own probe into the incident that has reportedly caused “pollution and environmental damage,” stated on their website.