(Adds Enemalta statement)

Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt has ordered the suspension of Enemalta officials after the spillage of 31 tonnes of A1 aviation fuel at the Birzebbuga Ghar Dalam installation went unreported for a week.

The ministry said in a statement that the minister was informed of the incident by the chairman of Enemalta shortly before 2 p.m. today. The fuel was spilled on August 14. The chairman himself was informed earlier today. Some of the fuel was recovered.

Dr Gatt said that as soon as he was informed he ordered Enemalta to contact the Malta Resources Authority, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Water Services Corporation to take any action they deemed fit.

The minister also ordered the suspension of the officials, including the manager, who should have immediately reported the incident to his superiors. The suspension will continue until all investigations are concluded.

The corporation informed the minister there was no risk of further spillage at the site.

Enemalta in a separate statement explained that the incident took place during an underground pumping operation from Birzebbugia 31st March Installation towards Wied Dalam. It was estimated that fuel worth US$42,000 was spilled before all pumps were shut down.

The corporation's senior management was informed of the incident by the management of the Petroleum Division yesterday afternoon through a detailed report.

The report showed that following the incident, Enemalta personnel immediately initiated standard operating procedures to contain spillage and recover as much of the fuel as possible.

The chairman of Enemalta has ordered an internal investigation by a Board of Investigation to establish the facts leading to the accident and also establish why it took so long for such an incident to be reported to senior management.

In a separate incident, the Malta Maritime Authority said it was investigating a minor oil spill in Grand Harbour this afternoon - see separate story.