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100,000 litres of diesel spilled in Magdalen Islands

Hydro-Québec estimates that 100,000 litres of diesel were spilled near the Cap-aux-Meules harbour, in the Magdalen Islands, because of a pipeline leak, discovered last Saturday.

Pipeline leak discovered last Saturday near the harbour of Cap-aux-Meules

Booms line the port waters in Cap-aux-Meules in the Magdalen Islands in an effort to contain spilled diesel that might have leaked into the port. (Radio-Canada)

Hydro-Québec estimates that 100,000 litres of diesel were spilled near the Cap-aux-Meules harbour, in the Magdalen Islands, because of a pipeline leak, discovered last Saturday.

The government-owned public utility says about 90 per cent of the diesel has soaked into the ground. The remaining 10 per cent is still in the harbour.

Hydro-Québec says cleanup is underway with 20,000 litres of oil already recovered. It is also waiting for the province’s environment ministry to come up with a longer term cleanup and restoration plan.

The company says it has also found the source of the leak along the pipeline, and is inspecting a three kilometre section to ensure the rest is in good condition.