Oil leaking from a capsized barge off Tobago's coast has spread hundreds of miles, reaching the island of Bonaire. It is now regarded as a serious threat to both humans and the environment. The barge, of unknown ownership, ran aground on 7 February, for reasons which are unclear. Investigations suggest it had previously stopped in Venezuela, and possibly was leaking oil from 3 February. Trinidad and Tobago declared a national emergency on 11 February, with ongoing efforts to contain the spill. Satellite images showed the slick extending into Grenada's marine area by 14 February; now the east coast of Bonaire, including vital ecosystems like mangroves, fish, and coral, has been contaminated. There is particular concern for the mangroves, which are among the best preserved in the Caribbean. Despite efforts at containment, oil continues to leak from the barge.
Caribbean: pollution from oil leak spreads hundreds of miles
Written by David Fletcher 01 Mar 2024Additional Info
- Pray: that the efforts to stop the leak will be successful. Pray that the owners of the barge will be discovered and punished. (Luke 8:17)
- More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-68413102