Police were investigating vandalism and even sabotage that led to a major oil leak from an idled electrical transformer station in Bærum earlier this week. As much as 60 tons of oil spilled into the nearby river, Sandvikselva, which runs through the Oslo suburb of Sandvika and into the Oslo Fjord.
Oil slicks were clearly visible in the river and around the popular beach known as Kadetten. Those using saunas in the area were warned against jumping into the chilly water, and authorities were worried about the oil slick’s effect on fish and wildlife in the area.
“It looks like someone clipped their way through fencing and then loosened a valve on the transformer so that oil would start running out,” stated Thomas Fennefoss of the national electricity agency Statnett in a press release on Monday. “This is now a case for the police.”
By Wednesday police still had no suspects, and Statnett officials were investivating why a security system meant to prevent leaks had failed. Local officials continued to warn against any swimming in the either the river or the fjord.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
