Oil spills again occur in Seribu islands

Oil spills again hit several locations in Seribu islands including Panggang and Pramuka isles, causing massive pollutions in the area, Koran Tempo reported on Thursday.

The head of the national marine park at the Seribu Island, Sumarto, told the daily on Wednesday that the oil spills believed to originate from an offshore exploration project in the western part of the area had caused massive pollutions.

The oil spills which covered many parts of sea areas in the Panggang and Pramuka isles had also caused the death of fishes, Sumarto said, adding that the oil spills had started to harden and turned into a solid material with the thickness up to 5 centimeters.

The oil spills had been reported to the office of the state minister of environment, which promised to carry out an investigation.

In December, last year, similar oil spills hit the area. The environmental office failed to find its source although the residents believed that the oil spills originated from the offshore oil project operated by a foreign oil company nearby. (*)