Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Photos
Sitemap
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
AFP - Saturday, April 24
Send
IM Story
Print
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - – A blazing oil rig has sunk into the Gulf of Mexico, sparking fears of an environmental disaster two days after a massive blast that left 11 workers missing.
US maritime authorities said crude oil was pouring into the sea at the site where the hulking Deepwater Horizon rig once stood, though they were unable to determine at what rate.
In Washington, President Barack Obama said the federal response to the disaster "was being treated as the number one priority," the White House said in a statement.
Obama "made sure that the entire federal government was offering all assistance needed in the rescue effort as well as in mitigating and responding to the environmental impact," the statement read.
Officials said that before the explosion there were 700,000 gallons (2.6 million liters) of diesel fuel on board the semi-submersible platform and it had been drilling 8,000 barrels, or 336,000 gallons, of oil a day. Related article: Louisiana ecosystem faces oil spill threat
"This is considered a major oil spill," Mike O'Berry, a US Coast Guard senior chief petty officer, told AFP.
The Coast Guard said a one mile by five mile slick had settled on the surface some 45 miles (70 kilometers) offshore as a massive clean-up operation gets under way to prevent the oil from hitting land in the Gulf states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
Coast Guard vessels continued their search late Thursday for the 11 missing workers, while British oil giant BP, which leased the platform, dispatched a fleet of boats to try to keep environmental damage in check.
Officials said the current spill had the potential to be the worst seen in the United States since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill, considered one of the worst man-made environmental disasters.
That spill, vastly bigger than the current one in the US Gulf, poured nearly 11 million gallons of crude into Alaska's Prince William Sound, devastating some 750 miles (1,300 kilometers) of its once pristine shores.
If oil leaks and the spill escapes containment efforts, Louisiana's sensitive coast would be at risk for ecological damage. Wild birds, breeding grounds for shrimp, and oyster beds would also be threatened. Should a spill reach shore, birds could be covered in the slick.
O'Berry said US authorities were deploying several oil-skimming vessels to try to limit the pollution.
The Coast Guard sent a mini-submarine equipped with cameras to determine the oil flow into the ecologically fragile Gulf, home to a vast array of waterfowl and other wildlife.
Before the rig sank into the ocean, oil fires raged for more than a day and a half following a spectacular explosion late Tuesday that sent huge balls of flame leaping into the night sky.
The now submerged oil rig measuring 396-by-256 feet (121-by-78 meters) is owned by Houston, Texas-based contractor Transocean, Ltd. and under contract to BP.
Transocean confirmed late Thursday that it had not been possible "to stem the flow of hydrocarbons prior to the rig sinking," raising fears that thousands more gallons of crude will pollute the Gulf waters before the flow is contained.
"We are working closely with BP Exploration & Production, Inc. and the US Coast Guard to determine the impact from the sinking of the rig and the plans going forward," the company said.
It added that "the US Coast Guard has plans in place to mitigate any environmental impact from this situation."
Transocean vice president Adrian Rose said earlier that the rig likely suffered a blowout while drilling through rock at BP's Macondo prospect, although investigations into the exact cause of the accident are ongoing.
Meanwhile rescue crews scoured the Gulf waters for sign of the 11 missing workers.
Seventeen workers were airlifted to hospital on Wednesday after suffering broken bones, burns and smoke inhalation in the explosion on the mobile rig. Four remained in critical condition.
But there was no sign of the missing workers and it remained unclear whether they made it safely into one of the rig's lifeboats.
"We're going to continue to search as long as there is a reasonable probability of finding them alive," Coast Guard spokeswoman Ashley Butler told AFP, adding that weather conditions were favorable for the search.
Transocean's Rose said the missing workers "may have been unable to evacuate" once the rig exploded.
Transocean is the world's largest offshore drilling contractor, with a fleet of 140 mobile offshore drilling units, in addition to three ultra-deepwater units under construction.
A total of 126 people were onboard the platform at the time of the explosion, 79 of them Transocean staff, six BP personnel and 41 contractors.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
News Search
Top Stories
Greece pleads for debt aid
At least 32 killed in Baghdad attacks
Greece asks for activation of EU-IMF debt rescue
Greece to seek EU-IMF debt bailout: govt source
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen
At least 45 wounded in Bangkok blasts: hospital
Stars shine spotlight on the planet for Earth Day
Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype
Iceland turns to jokes -- and soul-searching
More Most Viewed »
Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype
Two-million-year-old hominid sheds light on evolution
Taiwan's male 'Susan Boyle' a web sensation
Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 23 April 2010 Armenia halts ratification of Turkey peace deal
Greece takes a battering on EU deficit revision
Iran tests speed boats in "major" Gulf war games
CenturyTel in 10.6-billion-dollar purchase of Qwest
Greece hit by widening deficit, ratings downgrade
New York Times posts profit, says ready to take on WSJ
U.S. sees sanctions by May; Iran lobbies against West
|
Obama says financial reforms will end taxpayer bailouts
US-TECH Summary
At least 45 wounded in Bangkok blasts: hospital
Military gains seen sapping Iraq al Qaeda strength
|
Naomi Campbell Rages Off ABC News Set, Strikes Camera After "Blood Diamond" Questions
Biggest study on cellphone health effects launched
U.S. signals its nuclear arms stay in Europe for now
|
Gabourey Sidibe Shows Off Funny Side In "SNL" Promos
Missing Ohio Woman Found Safe In Miami With Mysterious Man
Armenia halts ratification of Turkey peace deal
|
Michelle Answers Raise Eyebrows, Laughter During Take Your Child To Work Day Event
Four Decades Later, Healthy And Green Earth Day Brings Cash For Appliances
NATO agrees to launch Bosnia membership plan
|
Burning Oil Rig Sinks In Gulf Of Mexico
IMF chief tries to shore up fraying G20 unity
|
Obama Gets Cutter As Assistant for Special Projects
Greek workers strike, warn of social explosion
|
U.S. Existing Home Sales Rise 6.8 Percent In March
Homeless May Be Protected From Hate Crimes Under Florida Law
Passengers Battered When Carnival Cruise Ship Tips
Obama makes defining pitch for finance reform
Pollution risk as US oil rig sinks after blast
Three dead, 70 wounded in Bangkok grenade attacks
Iran's Quds force in Venezuela, Latin America: Pentagon
Explosions kill 1, wound dozens in Bangkok
China will agree to new UN sanctions against Iran: Biden
Targeted killings put Pakistan's Swat back on edge
Grenade blasts kill 1, wound 75 in Bangkok
Briton's arrest in Kyrgyzstan raises concerns
Burqa bans infringe women's rights, say Indonesian clerics
Japan's most popular politician bolts conservative party
Indonesian workers riot over 'stupid' slur
Big expectations for RIM at BlackBerry trade show
|
Automakers showcase new models at Beijing show
Japan's debt threatens its credit rating, says Fitch
Budapest book fest honours Israel
Fitch warns Japan credit rating at risk from debt
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Korea keen on Kazakh uranium, grain
London crowds say farewell to punk pioneer McLaren
China tycoon goes on trial for graft
NCAA signs $10.8 billion basketball tourney TV deal
India in danger of urban 'chaos': report
Playboy porn breaks into Disney channel
In Haiti, schools lure back students with a free daily meal
Michelin covers three more Japanese cities
Thousands take to Swiss Alps in gruelling Glacier race
Lisa Kudrow forges diverse post Friends career
|
Irish author Banville loves being Black
|
NCAA signs $10.8 billion basketball tourney TV deal
|
Israel PM seeks new plan as U.S. envoy visits
UK's election race tightens after second TV debate
Thai police confront red shirts after grenade attack
|
Microsoft profit soars with Windows 7 sales
No sign Scuds moved to Lebanon
Under-fire Ukraine president defends Russia deal
Israel PM seeks new plan as U.S. envoy visits
|
U.S. sees sanctions by May; Iran lobbies against West
Microsoft to invest in small black-owned firms in SAfrica
Stars shine spotlight on the planet for Earth Day
US newspapers draw record traffic in first quarter: NAA
Minister says rockets not fired from Jordan
G20 plots post-crisis path; Greece dampens hopes
|
Amazon net profit up but shares slide
Car bomb explodes outside Northern Ireland police station
|
South Korea won't retaliate alone for ship sinking
|
Guatemala hands over key file in army genocide case
|
No sign Scuds moved to Lebanon: U.S. officials
|
Venezuela raids cocaine labs on Colombia border
|
Ariz. lawmakers: Candidates must prove citizenship
NKorea says it will seize 5 SKorean assets
US, African Union pledge greater engagement
US, China to resume human rights dialogue
Alleged US victim aims to open Vatican abuse files
N.Korea seizes S.Korean assets at mountain resort
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
China says naval exercise near Japan not a threat
China to OK new UN sanctions against Iran: Biden
South Korea won't retaliate alone for ship sinking
Thai police tell Reds to retreat after grenade attacks
Sri Lanka president to appoint new cabinet
Obama, Dalai Lama world's most popular leaders: poll
Remaining wreck of S.Korean warship lifted from seabed
Suspected militants kill 4 'US spies' in Pakistan
Redbox gets deals with Fox, Universal movie studios
Wipro quarterly profit up 21 pct, attrition rises
Chinese auto maker Chery says signs Messi
Kia Motors says Q1 profit quadruples, sales rise
PAKISTAN
NZ credit card billings rise in March
S.Korea's Kia Motors earnings quadrupled in Q1
S.Korea hopes to bridge divide over yuan
Honda doubles operating profit: report
Brazilian state bans Toyota Corolla sales on safety concerns
Susan Boyle success helps Cowell amass a fortune
Polanski loses bid to be sentenced in absentia
Fox to air delayed lingerie ad with busty models
"Dragon" set to overshadow J.Lo at box office
Woody Allen details movie with Carla Bruni
Four-day adventure gets Irish film to NY's Tribeca
Redbox gets deals with Fox, Universal movie studios
Rapper B.o.B leads chart, Glee crew ubiquitous
Nixed "Idol" Tim Urban gives secret to his smile
Polanski loses bid to be sentenced in absentia
|
Woody Allen details movie with Carla Bruni
|
Dragon set to overshadow J.Lo at box office
|
Fox to air delayed lingerie ad with busty models
|
Four-day adventure gets Irish film to NY's Tribeca
|
Rapper B.o.B leads chart, Glee crew ubiquitous
|
Greece pleads for debt aid
Bombs kill 56 in Baghdad after al Qaeda deaths
EU wants united airspace after ash cloud
|
McAfee: rogue anti-virus slipped quality controls
Greece asks for activation of EU-IMF debt rescue
At least 32 killed in Baghdad attacks
Greece to seek EU-IMF debt bailout: govt source
Zimbabwe's Mugabe backs Iran's nuclear programme
Bombs kill 64 in Iraq after al Qaeda deaths
|
Tori Spelling Starring In Planned ABC Talk Show
ABC, Fox Deny Refusal To Air Lane Bryant Plus-Size Lingerie Ad
'Major oil spill' as rig sinks off US coast
NATO irons out plan for Afghan civil, military handover
50 Cent Announces The Invitation U.S. Tour
Belgian bishop resigns over abuse of boy
|
Iran agrees belatedly to better monitoring
SEC Staffers Engorge Hard Drives In Flaccid Economy
Two UC Davis Students Charged In Hamster Tortures
Archie Comes Out With First Openly Gay Character
UK parties clash over recovery after GDP data
|
Monsters Inc Opening Sequel In 2012
Poll: Most Americans Confused About Health Care Bill
U.S. charges 11 Somalis with piracy in ship attacks
|
Tiger Woods Mistress No. 1 Pitching Reality Show Idea
Napping Could Boost Memory, Especially If You Dream
NATO agrees Afghan plan, but says no rush to exit
|
India police clash with Kashmir protest, 7 injured
Sri Lanka reduces Cabinet to 37 from more than 100
A day to honor poets? Quoth the raven 'Evermore'
US envoy in Israel talks amid spat between allies
Northern League says Berlusconi government doomed
|
Kyrgyzstan's ousted president vows not to return
Sex abuse victim lawsuit against pope 'without merit'
Thai protesters want Parliament dissolved in month
Iraq closes secret prison, arrests 3 officers
|
Suspect nabbed over killing of US consular worker
22 Indonesians die after drinking poisonous liquor
South Korea won't retaliate alone for ship sinking
|
Clinton urges North Korea to avoid provocative actions
NATO says 2 US soldiers killed in Afghan firefight
China warns of anthrax, rabies in quake zone
Thai protesters welcome promise of fresh elections
Pakistani stocks down; rupee weakens; o/n rates flat
Pakistani banks to close on Saturdays to save power
Euro rises as Greece requests debt help
Euro at a year low as Greek debt weighs heavy
India approves $3.4 bln bank recapitalisation plan
India's Wipro reports profit rise
"Sondheim" tribute would be better without songs
China's Changan confirms Peugeot tie-up talks: report
Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus
Chinese auto maker Chery signs Messi
Singapore's 'void decks' reflect racial rainbow
Gandhi's sex life laid bare in new book
Usher's good and bad fight it out on new album
|
Kitty Kelley's Oprah dissection a brave opus
|
Simon Cowell ups fortune by $69 million in past year
|
Avatar sets first-day Blu-ray sales record
|
Sondheim tribute would be better without songs
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights