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Approximately 10 metric tonnes of heavy fuel has been spilled in the Kola Bay fjord of the Barents Sea, according to news agency Interfax.

The incident is reported to have taken place during the transfer of oil from a storage tanker in the town of Mohnatkina Pakhta, which resulted in 10 tonnes of M-100 heavy fuel being spilled into the open water.

According to the Murmansk Port Accident and Rescue Directorate, whose staff is involed in cleaning up after the accident, the heavy fuel remains on the surface of the water and is therefore being removed using hand shovels.

Experts at the scene of the incident are reported to have said that oil booms are in place and there is no danger that the oil will reach the Barents Sea.