Oil 'emergency' off Karachi coast | BBC

[Ediacara]

Oil 'emergency' off Karachi coast

The authorities in the Pakistani city of Karachi have declared an emergency after the grounding of a tanker containing more than 67,000 tonnes of crude oil.

Heavy seas have been hampering salvage efforts
Coastal areas surrounding the city face an environmental disaster as it is feared the grounded vessel - the MV Tasman Spirit - may soon break up.

The Greek tanker, chartered by Pakistan's national shipping corporation, ran aground at low tide close to Karachi on 28 July.

The BBC's Zaffer Abbas, in Karachi, says oil gushing out of several cracks in the vessel has forced the authorities to abandon the salvage operation. The crew have been evacuated.

Senior officials admit they are not properly equipped to handle the crisis, but say some preventive measures are being taken to minimise damage to the harbour.

More at the BBC

[DrPepper]

1. Ooopsie

Does anyone know the conversion of tonnes to barrels?

[Systematic Chaos]

2. Is that like how they tried to "minimize the damage"

from the Exxon Valdez disaster? :eyes:

[Fleshdancer]

3. Pakistan lost their oil?

I guess the means the US/Pakistan honeymoon is officially over.