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| Australia beaches 'disaster zone' | Australia beaches 'disaster zone' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Australia has declared nearly 40 miles (60km) of beaches along its east coast as a disaster zone, following a massive oil and chemical spill. | Australia has declared nearly 40 miles (60km) of beaches along its east coast as a disaster zone, following a massive oil and chemical spill. |
| More than 30 tonnes of oil are thought to have leaked from a Hong-Kong registered cargo ship, when it shed its load in stormy weather early Wednesday. | More than 30 tonnes of oil are thought to have leaked from a Hong-Kong registered cargo ship, when it shed its load in stormy weather early Wednesday. |
| Queensland state officials say beaches along the Sunshine Coast, and Moreton and Bribie Islands are worst hit. | Queensland state officials say beaches along the Sunshine Coast, and Moreton and Bribie Islands are worst hit. |
| An investigation is under way into the state's worst oil spill in decades. | An investigation is under way into the state's worst oil spill in decades. |
| Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged full government support for the clean-up effort, which could run into millions of dollars. | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pledged full government support for the clean-up effort, which could run into millions of dollars. |
| Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh said the ship's operators would be liable for the costs. | Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh said the ship's operators would be liable for the costs. |
| "We are investigating the entire incident and if there is any basis for a prosecution, we will not hesitate to take that action - the total cost of the clean-up will rest with this company." | "We are investigating the entire incident and if there is any basis for a prosecution, we will not hesitate to take that action - the total cost of the clean-up will rest with this company." |
| The ship's owner, Swire Shipping, may face fines of up to A$1.5m ($977,000; £703,000) if found guilty of environmental breaches, as well as clean-up costs of A$100,000 a day. | The ship's owner, Swire Shipping, may face fines of up to A$1.5m ($977,000; £703,000) if found guilty of environmental breaches, as well as clean-up costs of A$100,000 a day. |
| National parks | National parks |
| Maritime officials said 31 containers of ammonium nitrate fertiliser fell from the deck in huge swells, puncturing the Pacific Adventurer's hull and releasing the oil. | Maritime officials said 31 containers of ammonium nitrate fertiliser fell from the deck in huge swells, puncturing the Pacific Adventurer's hull and releasing the oil. |
| Experts fear the toxic chemicals will suffocate fish and kill natural habitatsThe ship was en route from a port south of Queensland's state capital, Brisbane, to Indonesia. | |
| Environmental experts fear the nutrient-rich fertiliser could cause damaging algal blooms, suffocate fish and kill natural habitats. | Environmental experts fear the nutrient-rich fertiliser could cause damaging algal blooms, suffocate fish and kill natural habitats. |
| Moreton and Bribie Islands are national parks - home to a range of sea birds and creatures, including turtles, dolphins and pelicans. | Moreton and Bribie Islands are national parks - home to a range of sea birds and creatures, including turtles, dolphins and pelicans. |
| The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said it had begun removing the oil from the beaches and was treating oil-affected wildlife. | The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said it had begun removing the oil from the beaches and was treating oil-affected wildlife. |
| Radar-equipped aircraft are searching for the missing containers of fertiliser - which can be used to make explosives. | Radar-equipped aircraft are searching for the missing containers of fertiliser - which can be used to make explosives. |