KARACHI, Aug 20: Federal communication minister, Senator Ahmed Ali on Wednesday said that human error is positively involved in the incident leading to grounding of oil tanker Tasman Sprit.

“However he would not charge anyone for this error unless the inquiry ordered into the incident is completed”, the minister told a questioner at a press conference as to who is responsible for this human error.

Replying to a question, the minister said that there was no error of the KPT in handling the situation.

However, he said, the human error was certainly involved and it would not be proper to blame anyone until the inquiry into the matter is completed.

The senior technical adviser of International Tankers Owners Pollution Federation, Karen Purnell, who was present in the press conference replied to questions relating to environmental issues.

Ms Karen said she has assessed the environmental situation caused by oil spillage and has made certain recommendations.

“Our first priority is to protect the Indus Delta”, Ms Karen said and added that we are preparing for cleaning of shoreline for which more human resource and machinery would be required and also looking for ways for dispersal of oil polluted waste.

However, she said there is nothing now for concern as we are beginnng to train more supervisers and workers for cleaning operation.

She said that phase one of the operation will be completed by Sept 5 to 6 whereafter the secondary cleaning process will start which will take few more weeks to complete.

She hoped that affected beaches could be open to public by the end of September once it is ensured that they are now safe for the visitors.

Replying to a question, the communication minister said that lighterage operation could nnot be undertaken on Wednesday because of hazy atmosphere and strong winds.-APP