Oil leaks into Yellowstone River

A contractor for Exxon Mobil tends to an oil containment boom along the Yellowstone River near Laurel, Mont. , after a pipeline that runs under the river ruptured Saturday July 2, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/187362.html

An Exxon Mobil pipeline in the US state of Montana has erupted, gushing crude oil into the Yellowstone River prompting evacuations of nearby residents.

On Saturday an estimated 750 to 1,000 barrels of oil leaked from the pipe for about 30 minutes before it was shut down, the company said in a statement.

The leak has led to temporary evacuations of hundreds of residents along a 32-kilometer stretch, state-run BBC reported.

Nearby residents in Laurel, Montana, had to evacuate early in the morning but were able to return to their homes by 6 a.m.

"Evacuation orders for all of Yellowstone County have been lifted," the emergency services spokesman told Reuters.

The cause of the incident and the amount of oil released into the river is yet unknown.

"At this early stage, we have no information on the cause of the incident, and we are working to determine the amount of oil released.

“Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company deeply regrets this release and is working hard with local emergency authorities to mitigate the impacts of this release on the surrounding communities and to the environment," the company said.

Yellowstone national park is a famous and major tourist attraction in the US.

There are fears that fish will suffer because of the accident.