Skip to main content

Copenhagen, Denmark (AFP) – A ship carrying 20,000 litres of diesel fuel ran aground and sank off Greenland’s coast on Thursday, said authorities who were working to contain a potential spill in the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

“Last night, around 1:45 am (0245 GMT), a ship hit a reef near Nanortalik and started taking on water,” Greenlandic police said in a statement.

The vessel sank around 7:00 am.

Authorities believe the 30-metre (98-foot) ship contained some 15,000 to 20,000 litres (3,963 to 5,283 gallons) of diesel fuel in its tanks, in addition to 1,000 litres of engine oil.

The name of the vessel has not been disclosed, nor the type of ship.

Authorities said it was impossible at this stage to determine the extent of any pollution, but said they were using a pump and had placed floating booms in a 50-metre perimeter around the site to contain any spill.

All of the people on board were evacuated, but no details were provided about their numbers or nationalities.

cbw/nzg/po/jll/yad

© Agence France-Presse

Featured image credit: Allexxandar | Freepik

Uncertainty clouds UN talks on biopiracy treaty
Uncertainty clouds UN talks on biopiracy treatyNews

Uncertainty clouds UN talks on biopiracy treaty

By Agnès PEDRERO | AFP Geneva, Switzerland - UN talks to create a global treaty to combat biopiracy and the exploitation of genetic resources hung…
SourceSourceMay 23, 2024 Full article
NASA satellite data highlight the cooling effect of green spaces in urban areas
Landsat 8 satellite captured this natural color image of Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8, 2024. Sanaa
NASA satellite data highlight the cooling effect of green spaces in urban areasNewsScience

NASA satellite data highlight the cooling effect of green spaces in urban areas

NASA Data Reveals Role of Green Spaces in Cooling Cities During a heatwave, the comfort of a shady tree is a luxury that many urban…
SourceSourceNovember 27, 2024 Full article
Future enterovirus outbreaks could be exacerbated by climate change
Future enterovirus outbreaks could be exacerbated by climate changeScience

Future enterovirus outbreaks could be exacerbated by climate change

By Brown University Outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which causes fever and rash in young children, typically occur in the summer months.…
SourceSourceAugust 6, 2024 Full article