KEJAN HAYNES
Lead Editor – Newsgathering
Authorities are investigating a possible spill off Trinidad’s coast after reports and video footage emerged from the waterfront area on Friday.
Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said the Ministry of Energy, Heritage Petroleum and the Air Guard were conducting a joint operation to determine the source and nature of the substance.
“We are coordinating a joint activity to ascertain the facts. We are in touch with the Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs as well. We have deployed sea vessels and drones to conduct reconnaissance. We have received a report from our Venezuelan counterparts and are urgently investigating,” Moonilal said.
Reuters reported that Venezuela’s government said on Friday that an oil spill originating from Trinidad and Tobago was putting regional fishing and the environment at risk.
“This event exceeds in magnitude the one that occurred in May and confirms the drift of pollutants toward Venezuelan waters,” the Venezuelan government said in a statement, without providing details on the extent of the spill. It said the spill was confirmed by satellite imagery.
Moonilal said one concern is that if the substance is confirmed to be oil, it could drift into Venezuelan waters.
Investigations are ongoing.
