Italy 'facing ecological disaster after River Po oil spillage'

Italy is facing the possibility of an "ecological disaster" following the release of oil into one of its biggest waterways last week.

Italian authorities are now concerned that the river's water quality and animal life are at risk, the Chosun Ilbo reports.

"Efforts have been underway using at least five floating barriers to trap the oil on the waterway's surface. But it is proving to be a difficult task for civil protection officials and fire-fighting teams dispatched to the area," the publication noted.

Officials believe that approximately 2.5 million litres of oil and diesel was purposefully released into one of the River Po's tributaries via a former refinery.

An investigation has now been opened into how the incident occurred. However, police believe the culprit may have been familiar with the refinery and its workings.

In related news, it was reported last week that a batch of water wells have been closed in the Ramat HaSharon region of Israel due to a rocket fuel leak from a military holding.

Posted by Joseph Hutton