(supersedes previous)A pipeline
that broke last weekend causing a major oil spill near Genoa may
have other "critical points", chief prosecutor Francesco Cozzi
said Tuesday.
The accident occurred following a break in a pipeline
carrying oil from the Busalla refinery operated by IPLOM SpA on
April 17. Cozzi is investigating the incident for culpable
environmental disaster.
The pipeline was laid down in the early 1960s and must be
checked out for any weak points, Cozzi said.
The environmental damage will be assessed after the
pipeline is checked out and repaired, he added.
"All data gathered by the different agencies engaged in the
cleanup must be communicated to the population," Environment
Minister Gianluca Galletti said.
"The emergency phase is over: we will assess the damage and
prepare an (environmental) recovery programme for the affected
areas," Galletti said.
"I want to avoid triumphalism but actions so far have
produced positive results thanks to good teamwork but we mustn't
stop - the environmental disaster remains," he continued.
"Today the most difficult task of recovery begins."
He later met with Liguria Governor Giovanni Toti, who said
investments need to be made in refurbishing existing pipelines.
"Liguria's beaches and sea are not at risk," Toti added.
On Monday, the Genoa port authority revoked the local state
of emergency introduced immediately after the spill. However,
environmental and wildlife organisations say it has put many
animals' lives at risk.
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