Greenpeace activists blocked the tanker in the port of Paldiski (Estonia)
A group of Greenepeace organization blocked the Probo Koala tanker (Panama) suspected in casual handling of poisonous waste, that caused mass poisoning and a number of deaths in Cote d’Ivoiry, Postimees Online reports. The 46-meter Arctic Sunrise with 20 Greenpeace protestors onboard, blocked the port exit for the tanker at 18:00, September 25. According to Satu Pitkianen, press secretary of Greenpeace protestors group, the tanker will stay blocked until Estonian authorities meet the following requirements: to arrest the tanker till criminal investigation of the case on poisoning is finalized. As Pitkianen says, the Arctic Sunrise placed about 100 meters in front of the tanker didn’t block the way for other vessels. The action is under police control.
About 20:00 the Arctic Sunrise left the port for night but stayed in territorial water of Estonia. The continuation of the action is planned for the morning. Panama tanker Probo Koala chartered by the Trafigura Beheer BV, the Dutch firm, moored at Estonian city if Paldiski on September 15 and left it three days later. In August the tanker unloaded reservoirs with toxic liquid remained after washing of oil tanks at Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The liquid reached the city’s garbage sites. According to AFP, about 9000 of citizens suffered from poisonous fumes, 7 persons died. Mass poisoning resulted in national crises and entailed resignation of the country’s government.
