KARACHI, Aug 18: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar on Monday visited Seaview and Clifton beach areas and had a review of the situation arising out of the oil spillage from the grounded oil tanker Tasman Spirit.

The CM was accompanied by his Adviser on Environment Faisal Malik, Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Qazi, home secretary, DCO and director general of the Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

At the Seaview, the Administrator of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Brig Maqsood told the CM that the grounded ship had been carrying 67,000 tons of oil out which about 20,000 tons had spilled into the sea. About 10,000 tons of oil has already been off-loaded from the ship, he added.

He said that the oil slick had caused tremendous loss to marine life besides polluting the sea and air.

General Manager of KPT Brig Iftekhar informed the CM that aerial spray over the affected coastline was being carried out which would contain the unbearable odour.

City Nazim Naimatullah Khan told Mr Mahar that the city government was carrying out cleaning of the affected beaches. He pointed out that the oil-soaked sand was being removed with the help of heavy machinery.

During the visit, the chief minister inspected medical camps set up by the city government and Ojha Institute and received a briefing by the doctors and paramedics.—APP