KARACHI, Aug 29: Residents along the coastal belt, who are constantly under threat by the continued discharge of crude oil from the broken oil tanker Tasman Spirit, are not happy with the measures so far taken with regard to rehabilitation of environment in their vicinity.

Citizens on Friday complained of the increase in the pungent air from the western side carrying toxic evaporation. Scientist, who are monitoring the air quality with their limited resources, also confirmed the increase of volatile organic compounds in their samples collected at different spots along the beach.

On the other hand, KPT sources also confirmed the leakage of oil into the sea from the Tasman Spirit during the day. They maintained that the spill was nominal. But independent sources claimed witnessing fresh oil concentration in the sea water near the restaurant Village located at the end of Beach Avenue.

Sources privy to the salvagers mentioned that aerial spray was not executed on Friday as well, as after a survey conducted by foreign environmental experts from a chopper it was declared unnecessary for the day. It is believed that about 26000 tonnes of oil has spilt into the sea from the Tasman since after its running aground on July 27.

Residents and local experts are of the view that the salvagers or the tanker-owners federation have failed to take effective measures to counter the pollution generating due to the collapsed oil tanker which was carrying about 67500 tonnes of crude oil from Iran.

“We are still in doubt about the dispersant being used by the salvagers’ team on air pollution, whether it will prove a sources of relief or add to the miseries of human and marine life,” said a concerned citizen.

Citizens have stressed that apart from the visible damages being caused or felt on health now, there is a need to assess how much damages has been done and how long the damaging process will continue.

They say Pakistani authorities should ensure repair of the damage done and compensation in this regard before the departure of the salvagers who are mainly interested getting the Tasman Spirit empty and maintaining its exiting position in the sea.

It is learnt that the salvagers have not brought any sophisticated equipment or laboratories to assess the level of pollution, neither have they engaged any local laboratory or institutions in this regard.

“Even different facilities, including masks and gumboots, provided to beach cleaners and other personnel deployed at sensitive points are not of international standard,” said a source.

According to visitors, spilt oil was seen near Hawkesbay, Sandspit, Manora Island, Baba Bhit and Korangi Creeks. However, an official at the Port Qasim said that till Friday there was no report about any oil slick or traces in the ports channel.

In the meantime, the newcomer from the Fujerah port, the 6500-tonne capacity oil tanker, Sea Angel, siphoned out about 4000 tonnes of oil from the Tasman for onward ferry to Endeavour-II on Friday. The ship would again be brought along side of the broken ship on August 30 for the lighterage operation, said a KPT spokesman.

After the first off-loading of oil by the Sea Angel from the rear section of the Tasman, the KPT operation men understand that about 2500 tonnes of oil still remains to be transferred. As soon as the lighterage operation is completed, some items or installations including bunker oil, lubrication oil and batteries of the Tasman will be disembarked.

On the other hand, the PN tanker PNS Gawadar and a couple of barges have offloaded about 2550 tonnes of oil from the Tasman Spirit since August 24.