'It is necessary to complete the first stage of works before the next storm. It's hard to say what happens next.' Picture: Kirill Yasko/Sakhalin Info

The tanker Nadezhda was carrying 800 tons of diesel when it ran aground during a storm at the weekend. Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Sakhalin region, warned: 'It's an ecological disaster.

'Our aim is to arrange cleaning of the shore and rescue of the vessel. It could have been dragged with its tanks holed but there is a hole in the engine compartment, so it cannot be transported this way. Oil has spilled... It's difficult to say how much, but quite a lot. It is necessary to complete the first stage of works before the next storm. It's hard to say what happens next.'

In total, 83 tons has been removed from the Nadezhda, but leaks continue. Pictures: Kirill Yasko/Sakhalin Info

Local reports say a rookery of Steller sea lions was hit by the pollution which spilled into the sea close to the port of Nevelsk, on Sakhalin island, in the Far East of Russia.

An emergency operation to remove remaining diesel from the stricken vessel, and clean up the shore, has been hampered by continuing poor weather. In total, 83 tons has been removed from the Nadezhda, but leaks continue, it is reported.

The head of the port was dismissed because the tanker did not have its documentation in order.

The vessel is holed and the engine compartment flooded. Around 100 people were working on Sunday on the emergency operation.

It was claimed 1,500 metres of shore was cleared and 105 cubic metres of polluted soil removed. Around 150 metres of oil booms were installed.