In Geneva, it is again possible to bathe in the Rhône. Any health risk after the oil leak on Thursday was dismissed on Friday morning. The Geneva Industrial Services site (GIS) at the origin of the leak will remain closed until further notice.
An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the disaster, the canton and the GIS in a joint statement said on Thursday. Swimming between the underground bridge and confluence with Arve and all other current activities on the Rhône are again authorized.
>> Reread: In Geneva, swimming is again prohibited in the Rhône after a new hydrocarbon leakage
The incident occurred Thursday around 11 a.m. on a site located at the level of the barrage of the only one, upstream of the Motor Forces Building (BFM). Some 140 liters of biodegradable oil had been dumped in the Rhône an hour of strong crowds of bathers. The situation was mastered in the evening.
The survey will have to establish the responsibilities of this double incident, since it is the same project behind last Tuesday pollution which also led to a ban on swimming. No impact on natural environments has been found at this stage but reinforced surveillance, especially reedlières, is still in order.
Swim
This news should rejoice the Geneva bathers, while a heat wave alert is made for the canton on Saturday. Caution must remain in order during the swimming in lively water, as the fire and rescue service recalled in the summer of 2024, following several deaths. Lieutenant Nicolas Millot underlined the right gestures: swimming accompanied, swimming with floating elements, such as a life jacket, and having a mobile phone if possible to call for help in the event of a problem.
>> Read also: Faced with the heat wave, several cantons trigger the heat wave alert
>> Reminder of good behavior for swimming in vivid water (2024):
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