Oil Spills Australia

Officials battled what appeared to be the worst oil spill in Australia's history Sunday after a Greek tanker caught fire and spewed at least 2.9 million gallons of light crude oil near rich fishing grounds in the Indian Ocean. A 4-by-15-mile oil slick floated in storm-tossed seas about 18 miles off Australia's west coast, officials said. Richard Purkiss, chairman of the Oil Pollution Combat Committee of the state of Western Australia, called the spill "catastrophic."

Light crude from Australia's largest oil spill moved steadily toward 50 miles of pristine coastline Monday, but officials said much of the spill has moved out to sea or evaporated. Oil from the disabled Greek tanker Kirki drifted into the Indian Ocean in thick patches of oily emulsion known as "mousse" and in thin surface streaks, said Mike Brown, a spokesman at a crisis center set up in nearby Jurien Bay. Parts of the slick were six miles off the west coast by early today. The estimated 2.

Light crude from Australia's largest oil spill moved steadily toward 50 miles of pristine coastline Monday, but officials said much of the spill has moved out to sea or evaporated. Oil from the disabled Greek tanker Kirki drifted into the Indian Ocean in thick patches of oily emulsion known as "mousse" and in thin surface streaks, said Mike Brown, a spokesman at a crisis center set up in nearby Jurien Bay. Parts of the slick were six miles off the west coast by early today. The estimated 2.

Officials battled what appeared to be the worst oil spill in Australia's history Sunday after a Greek tanker caught fire and spewed at least 2.9 million gallons of light crude oil near rich fishing grounds in the Indian Ocean. A 4-by-15-mile oil slick floated in storm-tossed seas about 18 miles off Australia's west coast, officials said. Richard Purkiss, chairman of the Oil Pollution Combat Committee of the state of Western Australia, called the spill "catastrophic."

Three of Australia's most popular beaches were closed Wednesday after a 2 1/2-mile oil slick swept ashore in Sydney. The oil was believed to have come from a passing ship.

Three of Australia's most popular beaches were closed Wednesday after a 2 1/2-mile oil slick swept ashore in Sydney. The oil was believed to have come from a passing ship.