The coast guard said yesterday it had completed a cleanup operation of an oil patch that was spread between the coasts of the island of Salamina and Megara, west of Athens, in the second petrol spill in the broader area in the last 10 days.

The Merchant Marine Ministry said that the cleanup had been taking place since Monday when the 200-square-meter oil spill was first detected between the two industrialized districts.

A private contractor along with teams of municipal employees were also taking part in the operation.

«At the same time, a plane belonging to the coast guard is checking the broader area to detect and handle any other oil spills,» the ministry added.

The news comes after two oil slicks were found off the popular swimming beaches of Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, southern Athens, on August 7.