VIETNAM CLEANING UP AFTER 110,000-LITRE OIL
Date: 21-May-99
Country: Vietnam
The official, from the city's environment department, said cleanup operations were underway after the accident Friday night 500 metres (yards) from the Nha Be Petroleum Storage Depot.
"About 110,000 litres of diesel oil has spilled into the Nha Be river, and strong currents have quickly spread the oil," he told Reuters.
More time was needed to assess the spill's full environmental impact but he thought it would not be serious.
The tanker Nhat Thuan I carrying 520,000 litres (114,400 gallons) of diesel struck the Hiep Hoa 2, which was carrying 438,000 litres (96,360 gallons) of diesel, the official Vietnam News daily reported on Tuesday.
The crew of the Hiep Hoa 2 tried to plug a 1.3-metre (4.3-foot) gash in the ship's side but were unable to contain the leak, it added.
The paper quoted officials as saying the diesel oil had polluted land and mangrove forests in the area and that marine animals and wildlife were threatened.
