August 19, 1998
HAVANA, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Cuba's environmental authorities said Tuesday the cleanup of Havana Bay after a 100-ton oil spill at the end of July is proceeding slowly and will take "some months" to complete.
The spill, only officially announced over the weekend, occurred on July 30 when workers at Havana's Nico Lopez refinery failed to close oil tank valves after flushing out water.
The refinery originally said 21 tons of crude oil had spilled into the bay, but a new state environmental agency found that nearly five times that amount had escaped when the valves were left open for a day.
Jorge Breto, head of the state's port-cleaning company SAMARP which is removing the oil from the sea, said progress was slow because only two suitable boats were available.
The whole operation "will take some months," Breto added in comments carried by state media.
Authorities have not said what environmental damage the oil spill may be causing.
Three workers at the Nico Lopez refinery, which has been responsible for other spills in the past, were fined and disciplined for their role in the accident.
21:46 08-18-98
Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited.