After demolition in house

Heating oil leaked into soil and stream in East Tyrol

The fire department set up an oil barrier, as shown here in this symbolic picture.

(Bild: APA/FF RAABA)

Heating oil leaked from a tank into the ground and water in Sillian in East Tyrol on Thursday. It was only noticed hours after the leak. A leak in the heating oil tank probably occurred during work inside a building.

Demolition work was carried out in the building in Sillian on Thursday. In the course of this, a leak may have occurred in the metal heating oil tank. A previously unknown amount of heating oil was able to flow out into the open. According to the police, it not only leaked into the ground, but also into the surface sewer network, which flows into the Gerberbach stream and also into the Drau.

Local resident noticed the smell of oil
Hours later, shortly after 4 p.m., a local resident noticed the smell of oil in the area of the Gerberbach and raised the alarm. The Sillian and Strassen fire departments then set up an oil barrier and emptied and cleaned a surface water shaft. Officials from the district authority then arranged for further measures to be taken.

Police investigate
According to the police, the extent of the oil spill and the resulting environmental pollution cannot yet be estimated, and the police are investigating. A report will be submitted to the public prosecutor's office.