Major incident at Poole Harbour after 200-barrel fluid leak

A large incidental has been declared aft astir 200 barrels of reservoir fluid including lipid leaked into the h2o astatine Poole Harbour successful Dorset.

Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) said a leak occurred astatine a pipeline operated by Perenco, nether Owers Bay connected Sunday.

Members of the nationalist person been urged not to aquatics astatine Poole Harbour oregon the surrounding country until further notice.

Perenco said a "full investigation" would beryllium carried retired into what had happened.

Poole is the largest earthy harbour successful Europe and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) which is location to a scope of wading birds.

In a connection PHC said: "It is estimated that astir 200 barrels of reservoir fluid has been released into the h2o file successful Poole Harbour.

"Anyone who has travel into interaction with the spill should lavation instantly with soap and water. If eyes person travel into interaction with the spill, they should beryllium rinsed with water."

It added it had activated its lipid spill program and the pipeline had been unopen down, with booms placed connected either broadside of the leak.

Companies specialising successful lipid spill effect person besides been mobilised, according to PHC.

Perenco said its incidental absorption squad had been activated instantly to halt the leak and a clean-up cognition was nether way.

Franck Dy, Perenco UK's Wytch Farm wide manager, said: "Any spill is an highly superior substance and a afloat probe volition beryllium launched to ascertain what happened successful Poole Harbour.

"It is important to accent that the concern is nether control, with the discharge of fluids having been stopped and the spill is being contained."

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, said it was "working arsenic portion of a multi-agency effect to the large incidental declared this afternoon".

In a statement connected Twitter, assembly person Philip Broadhead, added the leak had been declared arsenic a large incidental truthful that "all applicable spouse agencies [were] moving together".

On Sunday afternoon, the Environment Agency (EA) said it had received reports of a "large magnitude of oil" successful Poole Harbour.

In a connection the EA said: "We are supporting the larboard authorization and different partners successful responding to this incident."

Dorset Police said it was informed by PHC astatine 13:43 BST connected Sunday of an lipid leak successful Poole Harbour.

In a statement, the unit said the incidental was being led by PHC and determination was nary request for constabulary attendance.

"We volition proceed to liaise with our spouse agencies and connection enactment if required," the unit added.