The Commissioner for Tourism and Environment in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Nidal Al-Majali said Tuesday that work is underway to deal with the oil which leaked seven days ago as a result of a defect that occurred in the fuel tanks of a ship as it was mooring.

He called on marine activities operators and beachgoers to take precautions and stay away from any areas where the oil reaches, and to report to the Marine Reserve Department and Prince Hamzah Pollution Control Center to deal with these areas.

Majali explained that oil spots continue to appear as the direction and speed of wind changes, causing pollution on some beaches due to the accumulation of the majority of the spilled material under the berth of the container port, which requires specialized technical equipment and qualified personnel.

He pointed out that the Prince Hamzah Pollution Control Center of the Aqaba Company for Port Management and Operation and the concerned authorities are following up on the matter to find out its circumstances.

For his part, the Director of the Marine Science Station Ali Al-Sawalmeh confirmed that the readings of 11 seawater sites showed the safety of coral on the first two days of the accident, and there is no impact on the marine environment in the shores of Aqaba.