An Oil Tanker Leaked Approximately 10,000 Liters of Oil Into The Albert Canal Near Olen, A Flemish Town, on Wednesday Evening Following An Accident. An Oil Slick Several Kilometers Long is Floating On The Water. Shipping on the Canal Has Been Completely suspended.
Something Went Went Wrong When the Ship was passing through a Lock, Accordance to the Mayor of Olen, as Reported by HLN . This resulted in a hole of about 15 centimeters in the hull. The Fire Department was Quickly on the Scene and Has the Situation Under Control.
A Specialized Company is Tryping to Absorb the Oil. It is feared that the slick will drift Towards Antwerp, about 40 kilometers away. The Canal Near the City is important for the drinking water supply. For the time being, The Lock is Still Holding the Oil Back.
Shipping Traffic on the Canal Between Antwerp and Liège is Currently Suspended. The Locks at Olen and Nearby Ham Will Remain closed for the time Being. The Mayor Warns Residents About Odor Nuisance and Advisles Them to Keep Windows and Doors Closed. The Smell of Oil is also noticeable in surrounding Municipalities.