Justice! On 3 July 2023, the Marseille Criminal Court found Kem One guilty of the chemical leak and fined it €50,000.
Following a leak of ferric chloride solution from the Kem One site in Lavéra, Martigues, a toxic slick formed in the Gulf of Fos, leading to the closure of several bathing sites.
Our actions
The case
During the night of 22 to 23 July 2020, a leak was detected in a ferric chloride solution storage tank in the production workshop at the Kem One site in Lavéra, Martigues. This corrosive product, mainly used for wastewater treatment, flowed through the site’s river network, spilled into the Mediterranean Sea and created a polluting acid slick covering approximately 6 hectares in the Auguette cove.
The mobilisation of significant resources, including forty marine firefighters and ten firefighters, as well as a surveillance aircraft and a ship specialising in marine pollution control, enabled the slick to be eliminated. The ban on swimming and water sports in the area, which was imposed in the morning, was lifted the following day after analysis results showed no deviation from the normal composition of seawater. However, despite these analyses and the disappearance of the slick, there are concerns about the consequences of this incident on marine fauna and flora.
The defenders
Several environmental associations and many local residents have rallied around this incident. Our Marseille office is in charge of the legal action taken with the on-the-ground support of our volunteer branch in Bouches-du-Rhône.State of the environment
Ferric chloride is commonly used for water purification. When used in large quantities, it can harm the environment and users. Studies to determine the impact of the leak are currently underway. Surfrider Europe is filing a complaint for the discharge of harmful substances that have caused water pollution. It is then up to the public prosecutor to decide whether or not to bring charges against the manufacturer.Our demands
Although the slick is no longer visible today, the ecological impact of this chemical pollution on marine species remains significant. Surfrider Europe is calling for Kem One to be held responsible for the damage caused. This result was reached on the 3rd of July 2023, Kem One was recognized guilty and fined €50.000.