The tragedy unfolded just off one of Spain’s most scenic coastlines, turning the beaches of Galicia “black”, devastating the region’s fishing industry and leaving a trail of death and damage as far as France and Portugal.
But 20 years after the oil tanker “Prestige” broke apart off northwestern Spain, covering thousands of kilometres of Atlantic coast with crude oil and killing 200,000 seabirds, some fear it could happen again.
As soon as he heard the news, Blanco recalled rushing to the seafront and seeing the vessel was “very close to the coast and that the situation was very serious.The following day its 77,000 tonnes of heavy-grade fuel oil began leaking into the sea. In all, the tanker spilled an estimated 63,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the Atlantic, coating nearly 3,000 kilometres of the coastline with foul black sludge and killing nearly 200,000 seabirds, despite the efforts of tens of thousands of volunteers.
It sentenced the Greek captain, Apostolos Mangouras — who was 67 when the “Prestige” went down — to two years in jail, and ordered that the owner and the insurer pay 1.5 billion euros in compensation, mostly to the Spanish state.NGOs hailed the ruling, but expressed regret that no politicians were called to account despite the “disastrous” decisions taken by the Spanish government of right-wing premier Jose Maria Aznar and the Galician regional authorities.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hurricane Nicole triggers flooding in Bahamas on way to Florida's Atlantic coastAuthorities in several counties along Florida's east coast issue mandatory evacuation orders or advise residents in low-lying areas along the shore and on barrier islands to seek shelter.
Read more »
ITZY announces ticket prices for Manila concert in 2023Live Nation Philippines just released the ticketing details for ITZY’s first world tour, "Checkmate."
Read more »
Congressional spouses play important roles, says RomualdezHouse Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday afternoon said congressional spouses play an important role in nation-building. “As our spouses
Read more »
SPORTS KEN: Wesley So makes Pinoys proudIn spite of the unsavory and unfavorable developments affecting the nation – natural calamities, political intrigues and corruption, fears of the pandemic, killings and murder, etc. –…
Read more »
Treaty against fossil fuels floated at UN climate conference in Egypt - BusinessMirrorSHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt—The world should confront climate change the way it does nuclear weapons, by agreeing to a non-proliferation treaty that stops further production of fossil fuels, a small island nation leader urged Tuesday. The proposal by Tuvalu came as vulnerable nations pushed for more action and money at international climate talks in Egypt, while
Read more »