Police to file charges over oil spill
Oil cleaned in two days
The police plan to file charges against Ballut Blocks over the oil spill in Mosta valley.
“We intend to file charges in court for crimes of an involuntary nature,” the police said.
The police also confirmed that the report that sparked the clean-up of the valley was made by a member of the public. The oil leaked from an old 45-gallon tank at the Ballut Blocks’ quarry yard.
“It must be pointed out that negligence has not been ruled out in this case although the investigation has not yet been concluded,” the police added.
Initially, the police had said that preliminary investigations indicated that “this was an accidental case”.
Environment Minister Mario de Marco said earlier this week such oil spills were of “serious and grave concern” and he expected those responsible to be held fully accountable.
The incident marred a 400-metre stretch of the picturesque valley near the chapel dedicated to St Catherine.
The oil was cleaned in a two-day operation coordinated by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, which contracted the services of private pollution response company Alpha Briggs.
The director of the company sparked some controversy when he described the “fuss” over the incident as “much ado about nothing”,a comment which Mepa disassociated itself from.
Mepa has said it is assessing the damage to the environment and will then decide what appropriate action to take against the operator of the yard.
Dr de Marco said Mepa was consulting its legal advisers to establish the legal options open to prosecute those responsible.
Marcus Camilleri, who had reported the incident after walking his dog in the area, was told by the police that the maximum fine that could be imposed amounted to €60.
However, Dr de Marco said a preliminary assessment has found that to be incorrect. “Fines that may be applicable are various,” he said.
Questions sent to Ballut Blocks remained unanswered at the time of writing.
Meanwhile, two water pumping stations belonging to the Water Services Corporation have had to be switched off while samples are tested to make sure there has been no contamination. The valley lies over the mean sea level aquifer, whose water is pumped up for public supply by the WSC from a station adjacent to the valley.