Go back

Permalink: news/oil-rig-spill-off-louisiana-could-threaten-coastline
Posted: 2 years ago

Oil rig spill off Louisiana could threaten coastline

A drilling rig leased by the oil company BP exploded and sank off the Louisiana coast last week.

Some 1,000 barrels of oil a day are leaking into the sea from the damaged well, officials say.

They say the oil leak has the potential to damage beaches, barrier islands and wetlands across the coastline.

Eleven workers are still missing and presumed to have been killed in the accident. The search for them has been called off.

More than 100 other workers were rescued.

The Deepwater Horizon had been burning for 36 hours when it sank on Thursday in 5,000 ft (1,500m) of water, despite efforts to control the flames.

It was carrying out exploratory drilling 84km (52 miles) south-east of Venice, Louisiana when the blast occurred.

'Highly complex task'

Bad weather caused cleanup efforts to be suspended over the weekend, allowing the slick to grow to about 580 sq miles (1,500 sq km), officials say.

To read full article, copy and paste the link below into your browser

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8642518.stm

ecosystems, oil rig, spill

Comments Login to leave comment