Saimaa oil cleanup to be completed after final shoreline work

Cleanup of the oil spill in Lake Haukivesi is expected to be completed on Friday, Yle reports, citing Heidi Käyhkö, an environmental expert with the municipality of Rantasalmi. The World Wide Fund for Nature has removed all oil that can be cleaned from the affected area.

Repolahti was cleaned last week, while Linnolahti and one island location were completed on Thursday. Work will continue at Lohilahti during Friday.

Käyhkö said the response prevented the worst damage. The South Savo rescue department also worked overnight and removed some of the oil, she said.

WWF has tested different methods for removing the oil, and the methods proved effective, Käyhkö said.

The ban on using water in the area remains in force. The oil situation will become clearer after samples are collected next week.

The spill occurred on August 18 in Haukivesi, part of the Saimaa lake system, when hundreds of litres of engine oil leaked from a tank on a cargo vessel. Some of the oil spread into Linnansaari National Park.

Endangered Saimaa ringed seals live and breed in the area. No oiled seals or other animals have been found. The vessel owner, Mopro, has said the accident was caused by human error.

The South Savo rescue department initially led the response, but responsibility for follow up cleanup was transferred to the municipality of Rantasalmi. WWF has also taken part in the cleanup.