'Oil slick minor, contained'

By Our Special

Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 27. The oil slick caused by the earthquake in Gujarat is ``minor'' and it has been contained, highly placed defence sources here said.

All the storage tanks containing petroleum products, as well as oil tankers, berthed in Kandla, were safe.

The ``jolt'' resulting from the earthquake activated the automatic shutdown mechanism of the tanks, but the seismic activity made one of the pipelines burst.

Limited quantities of oil, therefore, leaked into the water, causing a slick, which, however, has now been fully contained, the sources said.

On observing the spill, two off-shore patrol boats of the Coast Guard were dispatched.

The Navy has also deployed its survey ship to ascertain the safety of the Kandla channel.

This is a routine practice and had been conducted even after the cyclone which had earlier hit this premier port.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : 'Major quake may rock Delhi in April'
Next     : 'Pak. breeding ground for militancy'