Prestige oil spill. Ikonos satellite image of oil slicks from the wrecked tanker of the Prestige,off Spain's north west Galacia coast,on the 21 November 2002. The Prestige,which was carrying 77,000 tonnes of oil,ruptured her hull in storms,releasing some of her cargo. She was towed out to sea,but split in two and sank three days later,releasing more oil. As she lay on the sea bed oil continued to leak from her tanks. A total of 63,000 tonnes was spilled. This was Spain's worst environmental disaster. More than 1000 beaches in Spain and France were polluted and the local fishing industry destroyed. Local wildlife will be affected for over a decade |