Civil Protection officers are currently working to clear an oil patch at Pretty Bay in Birzebbuga.

They are throwing oil absorbing pads into the water to remove the oil in an operation expected to take a number of hours.

Swimming in the bay is, in the meantime, not being allowed and the public has been advised to avoid the area.

Birzebbuga mayor Kevin Barun said in a statement the environmental disaster occurred after a container carrying speciality base fluids was hit by machinery at the Freeport on Monday and started leaking.

The council was immediately informed of the incident and steps were taken but these turned out not to be enough.

In a statement, the government said that oil was carried into the bay yesterday and following an intervention by the CPD it seemed that the situation was under control.

However, more oil was carried into the bay today even contaminating a large patch of sand.

Mr Baruun said the council was in continuous contact with the CPD and would continue to work to safeguard what the people of Birzebbuga still had.

He called on anyone who suffered an inconvenience as a result of the incident to contact the council.

The council thanked the CPD for the useful work they were doing.