America: oil leaks 40km long on the river

Exxon Mobil, the nation's largest multinational oil and gas group, pledged to quickly clean up the environment of Yellowstone River, Montana State, after the oil pipe broke.

An amount of oil equivalent to 750-1,000 barrels (about 163,000 liters) poured into the river, creating a slick oil trail stretching 40km downstream of the Yellowstone River, according to Reuters on July 4.

Oil stains on the Yellowstone River from the plane - Photo: Reuters

Exxon Mobil closed the leak pipe 6 minutes after the incident was detected. Hundreds of residents within 32km along the river bank were evacuated but were later allowed to return home.

Earlier in May, this oil pipeline, which had a lifespan of 20 years, was closed when river water was high, but after the safety inspection was reopened. The cause of the incident is being investigated.

100 workers were brought in to solve the problem and the group was mobilizing experts from across the country to assist to clean up the oil slicks.

The leak came just a day after Exxon was sued for $ 1.5 billion in damages for a 2006 oil leak.