Four days after an oil pipeline explosion in the northeastern coastal city of Dalian, a massive clean-up effort is underway. The accident caused a large amount of oil to spill into Dalian Bay. Authorities are now scrambling to bring the damage under control.

 

Thirty-five specialized ships and more than five-hundred fishing boats are at work to clean up the oil. Chemicals to disperse the oil are being sprayed onto the slick and absorbent mats are being used to soak it up. Tests are continuing to understand the scope and extent of the spill.

As of Monday evening, one-hundred-and-60 tons of oil has been cleaned up and the contaminated area has been reduced from 50 square kilometers to 30 square kilometers.

Nearby ports are lending a hand, sending clean-up vessels as well as equipment to assist. In order to intensify the clean-up, five-hundred more ships will join the effort on Wednesday.

Dai Yulin, Vice Mayor, Dalian, said, We will use 5 days to clean up most part of the oil. Then we will use another 5 days to ensure all the oil is being cleared.

The vice-mayor adds they will do their best to reduce the impact of the oil leak has on the ocean and environment.