Los Angeles (AFP) – The US Coast Guard is investigating a two-mile-long oil spill just off the California coast near Los Angeles, officials said Friday.
The spill is located close to two oil rigs off the shore of Huntington Beach, a popular beach city known for its world-famous surfing, but the source is not yet known, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
“The Coast Guard is contacting all potential spill sources in the area, but no source has been identified,” it said.
Authorities are “working to identify possible impacts to the shoreline and environmental protection strategies” but so far “no oiled wildlife has been observed,” the statement said.
The spill was first spotted on Thursday night but was initially suspected to be a sewage release, said California’s wildlife department.
But “an overflight this morning observed oil sheen. More info to come,” said the department’s office of spill prevention and response.
The coast guard said a patrol boat and helicopter has ascertained the sheen was currently 2.5 miles long, and half a mile wide.
The city of Huntington Beach has not yet ordered any beaches to be closed.
In 2021, a cracked pipeline leaked an estimated 25,000 gallons of crude oil onto beaches in the area south of Los Angeles.
The waters are home to wildlife including whales, dolphins, and otters.
© 2024 AFP
I hope they find the source of the oil spill soon and take appropriate measures to clean it up. LOL
Is it not really scary to think about the potential impact on the wildlife and the ecosystem, I wonder?
I totally agree with you! The potential impact on wildlife and the ecosystem is definitely a concern. It’s sad to think about the damage that spills like this can cause to the environment.
I can’t believe this happened near the most popular beach in the entire world. It’s going to be an absolutely enormous blow to tourism.
I’m glad to hear that no oiled wildlife has been observed so far. Let’s hope it stays that way.