EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that Brussels is monitoring developments relating to the removal of several hundred tons of fuel oil left in the sunken Sea Diamond off the island of Santorini.

Fuel oil from the cruise ship, which sank in April last year, has yet to be removed almost a year after the accident as the ferry operator claims that it is not responsible for the sinking.

Dimas visited the popular Greek island with Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis on Saturday where they met with local authorities.

The purpose of the visit was to be briefed about the cleanup operation on Santorini and have contacts with the public on the issue, Dimas told Skai Radio.

Louis Hellenic Cruises, the owner of the Sea Diamond ferry, has said its insurance will not cover the cost of a salvage operation, as the ferry operator was not responsible for the accident.

The operator has blamed inaccurate maps for the ship running aground on a reef.