Putin orders Novak to solve Norilsk fuel spill situation quickly

MOSCOW, Jun 3 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Energy Minister Alexander Novak at a Wednesday meeting to solve the problem of diesel fuel leakage in the city Norilsk of in the Krasnoyarsk Region as soon as possible.

“You should (react) instantly, as soon as possible. Right now,” Putin told Novak.

Novak said that the ministry will begin talks with oil companies on liquidation of the emergency already on Wednesday.

Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Region Alexander Uss said that the region may be unable to coup with the emergency using own forces during two weeks.

Putin also agreed to announce a federal-level state of emergency in Norilsk.

A state of municipal-level emergency was introduced after almost 20,000 tonnes of diesel fuel leaked from a reserve fuel tank at the TETs-3 thermal power plant, a subsidiary of metals giant Norilsk Nickel. Part of the oil product spilled into the Ambarnaya river flowing into the Kara Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean.

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