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Aussie Oil Spill 10 Times Worse Than Thought

Government blamed for slow response to disaster

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2009 4:17 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The oil spill that’s polluting beaches along the northeast coast of Australia is 10 times worse than originally thought, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Officials now say that about 253 tons of oil leaked from a Hong Kong ship on Wednesday, damaging dozens of beaches that span 37 miles in what has been declared a disaster area, BBC says.

Today workers began the clean-up effort, which could last a month and cost the ship’s owners more than $1 million. “We’re devastated,” said a resident. Others expressed concern for the area’s marine life and one official blasted the government for getting “caught short.” Meanwhile, 661 tons of fertilizer lost by the ship remains missing. “That’s a big worry,” said one business owner.

Blackened water caused by the oil spill is seen on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009.
Blackened water caused by the oil spill is seen on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
A conservation officer looks out over the oil spill on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009. Nearly 40 miles of Australian beaches have been blackened by oil spilled from a cargo ship caught in stormy seas this week, leading the state premier to declare...
A conservation officer looks out over the oil spill on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009. Nearly 40 miles of Australian beaches have been blackened by oil spilled...   (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
A nature conservation officer catches a pelican covered in oil on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009. Nearly 40 miles of Australian beaches have been blackened by oil spilled from a cargo ship caught in stormy seas this week, leading the state premier to...
A nature conservation officer catches a pelican covered in oil on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009. Nearly 40 miles of Australian beaches have been blackened...   (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
A nature conservation officer carries a pelican, covered in oil, from the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009.
A nature conservation officer carries a pelican, covered in oil, from the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
A worker attempts to clear the oil spill on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009. Nearly 40 miles of Australian beaches have been blackened by oil spilled from a cargo ship caught in stormy seas this week, leading the state premier to declare the...
A worker attempts to clear the oil spill on the beach on Moreton Island near Brisbane, Australia, Friday, March 13, 2009. Nearly 40 miles of Australian beaches have been blackened by oil spilled from...   (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
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