Workers accidentally damage NATO oil pipe in Istanbul
ISTANBUL
A group of workers on Nov. 9 accidentally damaged a NATO oil pipeline when they drilled into it, causing liters of oil to spill in the streets of Istanbul’s Sancaktepe district.
The incident occurred at 02:15 a.m. on Ulubatlı Hasan Street when workers doing maintenance works for the Istanbul Municipality accidentally drilled into the NATO oil pipeline.
Several fire crews were dispatched to the scene to take safety precautions after the leak, waiting to intervene in the event of an outbreak of fire.
The area was cordoned off and maintenance works started two hours after the incident.
The oil flow was suspended following the incident, but officials said the oil did not spill far from the pipeline.
Police closed all ways leading to the scene and directed vehicles to different destinations.
After a few hours, maintenance works were completed and the street was opened to traffic again.
