Lisbon, April 7, 2025 (Lusa) - The slick of pollution in the River Tagus caused by a spillage of 400 litres of fuel which led to the closure of some beaches in the district of Oeiras is being contained by staff from the Lisbon Port Authority.
In a statement, the National Maritime Authority (AMN) explains that the source of the pollution in the River Tagus is being contained by members of the Lisbon Port Authority and that it was caused "by a spillage of around 400 litres of fuel oil following a refuelling manoeuvre between two ships in the River Tagus, downstream from the 25 de Abril Bridge".
According to the note, after the alert of the incident, a pollution response team from the Lisbon Port Authority travelled to the scene, "placing protective barriers around the two ships to contain and mitigate the effects of the spill, and it was possible to collect some of the polluting material".
According to the press release, "some areas of pollution were also detected near the Oeiras Marina and on Torre beach", and a team from the Lisbon Port Authority is carrying out work to remove and clean up the polluting material.
Oeiras Municipal Civil Protection had already closed Torre beach, in the Lisbon district, ‘for an indefinite period’ due to the spill.
In a publication posted on social media, the municipality of Oeiras informs the public that access to Torre beach has been banned due to contamination by crude oil.
According to the note, the beach, sand and sea are not accessible, "being closed for an indefinite period to guarantee everyone's safety".
The publication also states that information about the incident will be updated through official channels ‘as soon as the situation changes’.
A source from Oeiras city council told Lusa that the fuel slick "is growing, and that the beaches of Santo Amaro and Paço de Arcos have also been closed".
Speaking to Lusa, the spokesman for the Portuguese Navy explained that the spill occurred in the early hours of the morning, "downstream from the 25 de Abril Bridge", when a ship was refuelling.
According to Commander Ricardo Sá Granja, pollution response resources are on the scene, adding that the case has already been reported to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Maritime Police are conducting an investigation into the incident.
He said that the incident took place between a Portuguese ship, which had the fuel, and another flying the flag of the Netherlands.
RCP/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
