The captain and chief mechanic of a ship, involved at the oil-spill clean up operations offshore Athens, were arrested on fuel smuggling charges, according to Greek authorities.
As the Greek Merchant Marine Ministry informed, the two crewmen were arrested on Tuesday afternoon, after undeclared fuel was found onboard the ‘Lassea’ tanker, further complicating the eco recovery of the country’s capital.
As a result, the recovery efforts were suspended Tuesday, with a replacement vessel to be selected on Wednesday, local media reported.
The ship was taking part in the marine clean up efforts, following the sinking of the tanker Aghia Zoni 2, off Athens coastline, on September 10, that caused a major marine pollution in the whole area. The vessel sank in Salamina island in close proximity to Athens, loaded with 2,200 tons of fuel oil and 370 tons of marine gas oil.
Greek Shipping Minister has earlier informed that the clean up is going to last approximately one more month.
