BREAKING NEWS - Russian oil spill

[Janice]

Russian officials say an oil spill has occurred in one of the country's largest export pipelines, causing a potential "environmental catastrophe," The Associated Press reports


http://www.cnn.com/

The article is not in print yet on the website

The breaking news banner just went down, so I will have to wait till the article comes up.

Editted title to reflect the subject of this thread - Steph

[Janice]

MOSCOW, Russia (AP) -- A serious oil spill has occurred on one of Russia's largest export pipelines near the border with Ukraine and Belarus, the Natural Resources Ministry said Monday, warning it could cause an environmental disaster.

"Judging by information reaching the ministry from representatives of environmental organizations ... the consequences of the accident may be an environmental catastrophe in the region," a statement said.

The Ministry said that oil from the pipeline had contaminated local water sources and forests in the western province of Byransk, adding that the spill affected an area of nearly 4 square miles.

The 2,485-mile-long pipeline has the capacity to ship over 1.2 million barrels a day and generally works at or close to its full capacity. State pipeline operator OAO Transneft said the only person with the authority to comment was unavailable.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/07 ... index.html