The Environmental Health Directorate said that due to an oil spill from the San Luċjan Oil Terminal in Birżebbuġa, bathing is prohibited along Triq il-Qajjenza pending the necessary cleaning of oil from the sea and until the Environmental Health Directorate confirms that the quality of the bathing water is fit for bathing.

Officers from the Environmental Health Directorate, Civil Protection and Transport Malta are keeping the area under surveillance.

This is the third oil spill this summer in Birzebbuga.

In a separate statement, Transport Malta said it is investigating the cause of an oil spill that was reported at San Lucian Oil Terminal in Qajjenza (Marsaxlokk Harbour). Port Inspectors are currently on site to monitor the cleanup operation which is being undertaken by the terminal operator. The oil spill has been contained, TM said. The cause of the spill has not been identified at this stage but tests are currently being made to assess whether there was an underwater pipeline breach.