Ships on the Rhine near Basel can travel as usual again.
Published: Friday, Oct 27th 2023, 19:20
Updated At: Saturday, Oct 28th 2023, 01:55
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On Friday afternoon, oil leaked into the Rhine below the port of Birsfelden, which halted shipping for several hours. The fire brigade was able to stop the leak of heating oil. Shortly before 8 p.m., ships were able to resume normal traffic.
A cargo ship travelling upstream on the Rhine collided with a pier while maneuvering, causing severe damage to the ship's bow and resulting in an unknown amount of heating oil leaking out. According to a spokesperson from the Baselbieter Police, there was no danger to people or the environment.
According to police, firefighters contained the oil and disposed of it in an environmentally responsible manner.
The Swiss Rhine Ports announced in the evening that the section between the locks Augst BL and Birsfelden BL has been reopened for shipping traffic. This follows the temporary closure of the Rhine section between the two locks Augst and Birsfelden, as well as the stretch between the port of Basel and the forecourt of the lock Kembs in France, due to water pollution.
©Keystone/SDA
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