Oil spill removed

The oil spill at Bugibba Bay has been successfully cleaned after a four-day operation by the Oil Pollution Response Module.

Unit head Tony Mallia confirmed with The Times that the operation was "successfully completed" yesterday morning.

Around 5.5 tonnes of oil were gathered from the bay. Apart from oil collecting near the shore, there was a considerable patch floating around two miles off the shore.

The oil spill was noticed last Thursday, and the cleaning operation started that day. Mr Mallia said the operation was completed yesterday morning.

The sea in the area was now being monitored.

Last week the Public Health Department issued a notice recommending non-bathing along Islet Promenade up to Bay Square because of the oil pollution.

No notices stating that it was safe to swim were issued up to yesterday. Readers called The Times offices enquiring whether the bay was still unfit for bathing.