A leak in the pipeline connecting Saras to an oil tanker caused, between December 27 and 28, 2019, the spill of approximately 600 kilograms of liquid paraffin into the sea, some of which then solidified and washed ashore. For that incident (at the Impianti Nord pier), yesterday morning, Cagliari Court Judge Michele Contini acquitted plant manager Antonello Cogoni, responsible for Saras' shipping operations and anti-pollution operations. Following the conclusion of the investigation by prosecutor Andrea Vacca, he was charged with negligent risk of pollution. During the transfer of the liquid substance to a ship (approximately 760 liters), part of the paraffin ended up in the sea due to a crack in the pipe.
The incident was immediately recorded and widely visible, as the hydrocarbon mixture then solidified, partially landing on the beach. Defending Antonello Cogoni during the lengthy trial, before several successive judges, was lawyer Alfredo Diana, who demonstrated the lack of any criminal charges. Consequently, the judge ordered a full acquittal of the manager at the end of the deliberations.