The Spanish authorities have closed several beaches on the Islands of Gran Canaria after an oil spill incident happened on 04th September. Namely, La Restinga, Palos, El Barranquillo, and San Bordon Beaches were closed to the public as the oil spill approached the coast.

According to the Spain Maritime Rescue organisation, Salvamento Maritimo social media post, the bunker oil spill occurred during the refuelling of vessel AKHISAR at the port of LAS PALMAS, Spain. The incident caused a leak of three tonnes of IFO 180, a very low sulfur oil, in the water.

The President of the Gran Canaria governing council stated that the oil leak covered an area 2.5 kilometers long and 400 meters wide and was moving towards Telde, in the south.

The authorities deployed resources to monitor and control the oil spill in the sea. Drones and helicopters were in the region assisting in the cleaning operation.

AKHISAR is a general cargo vessel sailing under Liberia’s flag. According to Marine Traffic, the vessel is laden and departed from LAS PALMAS on 07th September and is scheduled to arrive at PRAIA, Cape Verde, by 11th September.