Egypt’s Environment Ministry’s committee reported that crude oil slicks in the Red Sea region of Gabal al-Zeit, were already floating over 6 km in the seas off northeastern Hurghada, according to Al Arabya News. The oil spill occurred due to the explosion of a buoy in one of petroleum oil platforms in the area and the committee accused a petroleum company of neglect in causing the leak.

In cooperation with the nature-reserve officials, the committee has conducted a survey to determine the path and the movement of the spills in order to contain the situation, reported Egypt Independent.

The Free Egyptians party’s MP and an agent of the Energy and Environment Committee in the Egyptian Parliament, Hamada Ghallab, said the spill would affect the marine environment and organisms. He said that he is keeping abreast of developments to handle this incident.

The committee has encouraged the directors of Hurghada to report any suspicious activity concerning this case and to immediately inform the officials if the scattered oil spills approach anywhere near the touristic beaches.