More than 60 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the sea off the northern Colombian state of Magdalena after a boat owned by Colombia’s largest coal company capsized in heavy seas, local media reported Monday morning.
A boat was carrying building materials for the construction of the direct loading dock in Puerto Drummond, near the Caribbean town of Cienaga, 22 miles outside of Santa Marta.
The boat capsized on Friday and the company reported that the two crew were alive and well.
The harbor master, Oscar Mantilla told W radio that so far the exact amount of liquid that fell into the sea is not known,but national authorities put the figure at around 60 gallons.
Local authorities said there would be possible fines about the environmental impact of the incident.
This is not the first time that Drummond has been involved in an environmental incident in the area.
MORE: Colombia Fines Drummond For $3.5M Over Caribbean Coal Dump
Drummond, Colombia’s largest coal miner, was forced to suspend export activities for three weeks in February 2013 after the company was found guilty of illegally dumping 2,000 tons of coal into the Carribean Sea. The company was later fined $3.5 million.
Sources
- Dirección Marítima entregará informe del derrame de ACPM en Puerto Drummond (Caracol Radio)
- Autoridades investigan accidente de barcaza de la Drummond en el Caribe (W Radio)
