Paradip, Sept. 2: Officials of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) today began a probe to find out what had led to the rupturing of pipelines and consequent oil spill that has turned creeks greasy in the port town.

The ruptured pipelines are affecting various water bodies from where a strong stench is emanating. However, till date there has been no report of fishes or other aquatic animals dying en masse.

The IOCL officials today lodged an FIR, alleging that the pipelines were deliberately damaged to pilfer diesel last night.

"Our preliminary findings suggest that the pipeline was ruptured with mala fide intent. We would shortly arrest the mischief mongers," said additional superintendent of police Madhabanand Sahu.

A police official said: "Last night, the criminals cut the 8mm thick pipelines by a drilling machine for pilfering oil. They had attached their own pipe in the hole, the other end of which was plugged to barrels to load oil. They also attached a valve to the pipe's mouth, so that it could work as a tap for extracting fuel at will."

An IOCL official said: "Our engineers have plugged the damaged portions of the pipeline. People with criminal antecedents have perpetrated such acts of vandalism. On June 8, a similar incident was reported. The company is sustaining loss due to such wanton acts."

"Following the rupture, oil had made its way to the nearby creeks, fields and fish ponds. The oil spill has triggered adverse impact on the water bodies and aquatic animals have been affected. We have directed the company to purify the water bodies and wetlands through scientific technology," said the board's regional officer Prasant Kumar Kar.

"Toxic substances in the oil tend to accumulate in plants and animals - which consequentially threaten the health of human beings who consume the polluted plants," said an environment activist.

Installation of crude oil handling facilities at Paradip port, including fixing of a single point mooring system in the offshore waters and laying of a 20-km-long and 48-inch diameter sub-sea transfer pipeline up to the crude oil tanks, helps ships offload oil through the pipelines.