Hydrocarbon pollution is observed on the Yonne River. Iridescence was observed on the river and up to the confluence with the Seine. The pollution was blamed on dismantling operations of a barge that had not been appropriately decontaminated beforehand. The emergency rescue services set up a floating pollution barrier upstream of the Seine lock. The next day, the operator deployed its own dam as a complementary measure as residual irisation was still observable.

The barge, in the dismantling company’s possession, had not previously been decontaminated. Hydrocarbons still present in the barge’s tanks and in the hold had escaped while it was being winched up the slope onto the dry dock. The technicians are supposed to inspect the wrecks before conducting various operations.

The inspection authorities for classified facilities noted that barge dismantling operations were being carried out at less than 2 m from the watercourse, whereas the minimum distance provided for by prefectoral decree is 10 m. In addition, metal waste from the dismantling site was scattered near the wreckage in an unstabilised area with no retention area.

The operator was issued a formal notice regarding the various non-conformities noted (those mentioned above + leaking waste handling areas, lack of safety and intervention instructions, lack of self-monitoring of aqueous discharges, etc.).

Just a few days later, a fire broke out in a barge during a torch cutting operation.