2023-06-23 06:33:51Source: CCTV News Client Editor: Yang Lei
The U.S. Navy's fuel pollution scandal in Hawaii continues to brew. According to the US "Stars and Stripes" website reported on the 20th, more than 1000,2021 US military families and ordinary residents sued the federal government on the grounds that they fell ill in <> after drinking water contaminated with US Navy aviation fuel. Hundreds of people have previously filed lawsuits over water pollution. Nearly two years on, many of them are still ill and have not been compensated.
Amanda Fiente is a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander whose husband and two children both developed diarrhea, rashes and other symptoms due to drinking contaminated water in 2021. They have since moved out of Hawaii. In less than two years, Amanda's family became "regulars" to the hospital, and her family has undergone three major surgical surgeries and has not yet emerged from the haze of the disease.
U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Amanda Fiant: For me, this [prosecution] is responsible for my family. Prosecution is our way to protect our families, now and in the future.
According to US media reports, more than 1000,<> people, including Amanda, filed a lawsuit were military families and ordinary residents living near the Red Mountain fuel storage facility in Hawaii at the time. Hundreds of people have previously filed lawsuits over water pollution.
In 2021, aviation fuel from the Hongshan storage facility leaked into the water supply system at least twice, causing epilepsy, gastrointestinal diseases, thyroid abnormalities and other problems in people who had drunk contaminated water, affecting more than 9,<> people.
Attorney Christina Bell: People are still sick because of water pollution and they need help. These people are worried that one of them will have cancer, and they are afraid. These fears are justified and people deserve compensation.
Lawyers said the U.S. Navy did not warn nearby residents to stop drinking toxic water after the fuel contamination occurred, and the truth about the water contamination was kept secret for a long time. More than 1000,<> people who filed the lawsuit sought to reveal the truth of the incident and hold the U.S. Navy accountable.
At present, the Pentagon and the Navy have not responded to this. Three weeks ago, the U.S. Navy promised to dismantle the fuel storage facility in Red Hill so that it would no longer contaminate drinking water in nearby communities. But in reality, until now, the fuel storage facilities there have not been dismantled, and the issue of compensation has not been resolved.
Poor supervision and improper handling of US military fuel spills affect residents
The Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility is an underground facility built in Hawaii in the early 20s of the 40th century and includes 20 giant fuel tanks. The tanks, in turn, are connected to underground pipelines about 4 kilometers long that carry fuel to the U.S. military's Pearl Harbor base and to ships and aircraft used by the Navy.
In 2014, the Red Hill fuel storage facility first reported a fuel spill, followed by multiple spills since then. A serious leak in November 2021 affected tens of thousands of people when contaminated water entered the public water system.
The Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility, located near the Red Mountain Well, provides drinking water to approximately 9,3 residents of Honolulu, Hawaii.
In May 2021, personnel errors caused a pipeline to rupture at the underground oil depot of the Hongshan fuel storage facility, and about 5,8 liters of fuel leaked while transferring between tanks, mostly pouring into a firefighting pipe, causing the pipeline to sag, according to a report released by the U.S. Navy. According to the Associated Press, several officials initially thought that the fuel leak from the accident was only about 6000,140 liters, and the fuel that was not collected was only about 8 liters. But then they noticed that one tank depot was missing about <>,<> litres of fuel and did not report the problem to their superiors.
In November 2021, a vehicle hit a fire extinguishing pipe where the fuel was leaking, spilling about 11,7 liters of fuel. While the U.S. Navy disposed of the spilled fuel, Sam Paparro, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, acknowledged that nearly 6,2 liters of fuel were not collected and that it slowly seeped into water wells, contaminating the water system.
A few days later, the Navy began receiving reports of residents smelling of fuel with water, and more than 6000,4000 residents experienced nausea, dizziness, rashes and other symptoms. More than <>,<> people were then housed in hotels for months.
U.S. Navy Soldier: My kids took a shower over the weekend. After 45 minutes, their skin burned.
US military family: My pet dog has a strange disease and I have to give up treatment for it.
Local resident: I filled a glass of water in a cup and filled it with a plastic cup. You know what, that cup smells like fuel.
In March 2022, the Pentagon announced that it would permanently close the Red Hill fuel storage facility.
In June 2022, the U.S. Navy released an investigation report that provided the first specific explanation for the leak from the underground oil depot at the Red Hill fuel storage facility in Hawaii. The U.S. Navy admitted that after the leak occurred, the relevant officials did not supervise the situation effectively, ignored the seriousness of the situation, and did not make timely and effective communication, which caused more pollution. Label:
Share: