It was in 2017 that the leak occurred, just two years after the PFAS scandal when toxic substances were discovered in the drinking water.
At an initial stage, the Swedish Fortifications Agency estimated that the remediation work would take about a year.
An assumption that turned out to be completely wrong - four years later, the remediation work is going on around the clock in an area measuring 40x80 meters.
- There was more fuel in the ground than we could ever imagine, says Claes Isoz who is Fleet Commander.
First thought the leak was small
The Green Party in Luleå was worried at an early stage after the accident that this was about an even larger emission than what has been reported so far, what do you think about it now?
- I can only state that this leak, which we thought was quite small and limited at first, was not.
I do not think anyone could have imagined that there was so much fuel lying in the ground, says Claes Isoz.
Understand concerns
Can you understand that residents in the vicinity feel a certain concern considering that this emission is much larger than first thought?
- We have not received any significant issues where there is concern.
However, I can understand if there is and in that case we will of course answer those questions as best we can, says Claes Isoz.
SVT's reporter Erica Larsson has calculated how many jeep cans the aviation kerosene has been pumped out of the ground. See more in the clip at the top of the article. Photo: SVT