The Black Sea Basin Directorate (BSBD) has commissioned sampling and subsequent testing of the sea waters in the Ahtopol area. The actions are being undertaken in connection with the operation initiated by the Executive Agency for Maritime Administration to tow the vessel “Kairos” to the port of Burgas.

The tests are being carried out on the indicators of petroleum products, polychlorinated biphenyls, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, styrene, and oils. The aim is to monitor possible changes in the state of the sea waters during the activities at sea.

Experts from the BSBD and the Regional Laboratory - Burgas of the Executive Agency for Environmental Protection have been on site since 06:30 today and will remain in the area until the completion of the operation to tow the vessel.

The extraordinary monitoring of the sea waters in the area, which the Basin Directorate carried out after the incident, did not detect any pollution from oil products and other hazardous substances – all recorded values were below the limits of determination of the used testing methods.

The Ministry of Environment and Water continues to carry out enhanced control and monitoring of the state of sea waters in the Black Sea and will promptly inform the public if changes in the indicators are detected or if there is any data on pollution.