Oil spill "worst environmental disaster in decades" in New Zealand

A cargo ship that ran aground last week is continuing to leak oil, threatening the coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Authorities have said up to 300 tonnes of heavy fuel oil have already escaped from the ship and heavy seas are threatening to cause greater leakage. Transport minister Steven Joyce says that more oil is expected to wash up on the beach shortly.

Maritime New Zealand said in a statement that a beach clean up began early Tuesday and that more teams would be deployed Wednesday. Bad weather, however, has hampered clean-up efforts.

Environment minister Nick Smith says it is now clear that the incident is “New Zealand’s worst environmental disaster in many decades.” In addition to the oil, authorities are also concerned about some potentially dangerous goods aboard. Authorities said removing those goods was a priority.

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