Officials cleared engine oil contamination from Larnaca beaches on Friday morning after pollution was detected late Thursday evening, authorities confirmed.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research maritime service deployed floating barriers and absorbent materials to clean the spill, which consisted of bilge water containing engine oil and diesel fuel.

Marina Argyrou, director of the Department of Fisheries, told the Cyprus News Agency that officials were notified of the pollution incident within Larnaca port very late Thursday night. “At first light, maritime service officials from the Department of Fisheries arrived at Larnaca port and using floating barriers and absorbents, managed to clean the pollution,” Argyrou said.

The contamination comprised bilge water, consisting of engine oil and diesel mixture that evaporates, according to Argyrou. She explained that the pollution occurred within Larnaca port, where the Cyprus Ports Authority serves as the management body and conducts relevant pollution investigations.

Argyrou confirmed that some oil residue washed onto the adjacent Oroklini beach. The local authority, specifically the Oroklini Municipal District of Larnaca Municipality, was notified to proceed with cleanup operations.

Neofytos Fakontis, deputy mayor of Oroklini, reported that small quantities of engine oil washed onto the community coastline. “The Department of Fisheries was notified as the competent authority and took charge of the matter,” Fakontis stated.

He described the incident as non-concerning, noting that some visitors continued swimming whilst others waited for beach cleanup completion. “Much of the oil has evaporated and it is expected that by tomorrow the remaining small quantity that washed onto the beach will evaporate,” Fakontis added.

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