Intervention in Geneva
The Rhône evacuated and prohibited for swimming
The swimmers had to get out of the water at the start of the evening because of hydrocarbon pollution. Swimming and descent of the river remain prohibited until further notice.
The Geneva police installed information panels.
Laurent Guiraud
- An organic hydrocarbon leak interrupts all activities on the Geneva Rhône.
- The rupture of a hydraulic pipe near the BFM causes pollution.
- The authorities advise exposed bathers to rinse carefully.
At this time usually, the Rhône is teeming with bathers. This Tuesday, he is completely empty; All swimmers have been ordered to get out of the water around 5:25 p.m. hydrocarbon pollution is the cause.
As a precautionary measure and in order to guarantee security, swimming and the descent of the Rhône in boat are temporarily prohibited from the bridge of the only evening for the whole evening.
Police are currently carrying out land and river patrols to alert Rhône users.
Recommendations to swimmers
Arthur had just started the Rhône descent with friends when he saw police officers at the forefront of the junction. “By loudspeaker, they asked everyone to go out. We just understood the word “pollution”. People were gradually out, without panic. ” Once out of the water, other police officers advised them to go back to shower.
The recommendations in the event of contact with this hydrocarbon are the following: rinse the skin with soapy water, rinse the eyes abundantly with clear water and in case of ingestion, consult a doctor.
Breaking of a site conduct to the BFM
At 4:53 p.m., the Geneva Fire and Rescue Service (SIS) was informed of the presence of hydrocarbons on the Rhône, at the level of the barrage of the only one and upstream of the Motor Forces building (BFM), indicates its spokesperson Nicolas Millot.
“The leak took place at the height of a site led by a general company mandated by the industrial services of Geneva (GIS), as part of the preparatory work on the passage of the microtunnelier intended for the connection of the Genilac project to the PAV.” The spokesperson notes that the poured product is of organic origin.
The leak comes from the rupture of a hydraulic pipe on a machine of the site. This occurred underwater, during the work.
At 7 p.m., the flight was not yet swallowed. The police subsequently installed information panels.
The SIS deployed two boats, upstream and downstream of the barrage of the only one, in order to implement the first water protection measures.
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