On Wednesday 30 September, European satellite surveillance detected a suspected oil spill at sea, in the shipping lane south-east of Gotland. The Swedish Coast Guard sent both aircraft and vessels to the position. By Thursday morning, however, there was no longer any trace of the spill.
Early on Friday, the Swedish Coast Guard stopped the tanker Flora 1, a vessel suspected of causing an oil spill in the Baltic Sea, east of Gotland. The Swedish Prosecution Authority is leading a preliminary investigation into a suspected environmental crime. When the spill was detected, it was found that the vessel is on the EU sanctions list, and that there are several unclear circumstances surrounding the vessel, including its flag status.
During the day, a suspicion of unseaworthiness under the Maritime Code (Sjölagen) has arisen. A prosecutor is now leading a preliminary investigation in which further investigative measures are necessary, including a search of premises. The Coast Guard continues its work in line with the prosecutor's instructions.
