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Inquiry into California oil spill | Inquiry into California oil spill |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A criminal investigation has begun into an oil spill in San Francisco Bay that has closed nearly two dozen beaches and left scores of birds dead. | A criminal investigation has begun into an oil spill in San Francisco Bay that has closed nearly two dozen beaches and left scores of birds dead. |
The US Coast Guard chief for the area said the crew of the ship that leaked the oil was being questioned. | The US Coast Guard chief for the area said the crew of the ship that leaked the oil was being questioned. |
The Cosco Busan hit the Bay Bridge in fog last week, rupturing its fuel tank. | The Cosco Busan hit the Bay Bridge in fog last week, rupturing its fuel tank. |
Reports suggest the inquiry will focus on possible communications failings. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has faced criticism over its response speed. | Reports suggest the inquiry will focus on possible communications failings. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has faced criticism over its response speed. |
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency on Friday to help the clean-up operation move faster. | California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency on Friday to help the clean-up operation move faster. |
Some 58,000 gallons (219,500 litres) of fuel oil leaked into the bay after the accident last Wednesday. | |
'Improved system' | 'Improved system' |
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, a former mayor of San Francisco, expressed concern over an apparent lack of readiness and communications problems. | Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, a former mayor of San Francisco, expressed concern over an apparent lack of readiness and communications problems. |
"This is an incident which, in my view, should not have happened," she told a news conference on Sunday, after touring the affected area. | "This is an incident which, in my view, should not have happened," she told a news conference on Sunday, after touring the affected area. |
"I think we can improve the system to manage shipping traffic in and out, in all kinds of weather conditions." | "I think we can improve the system to manage shipping traffic in and out, in all kinds of weather conditions." |
The head of the US Coast Guard, Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, has defended his agency's response to the incident. | The head of the US Coast Guard, Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, has defended his agency's response to the incident. |
He said any errors in how it handled the spill were "of omission, not commission". | He said any errors in how it handled the spill were "of omission, not commission". |
Nearly 60 ships and hundreds of people have been helping the clean-up operation, the US Coast Guard said. | Nearly 60 ships and hundreds of people have been helping the clean-up operation, the US Coast Guard said. |
More than 12,000 gallons of oil had been recovered by the end of Sunday but miles of coastline have already been contaminated by the slick. | More than 12,000 gallons of oil had been recovered by the end of Sunday but miles of coastline have already been contaminated by the slick. |
The spill is said to be the largest to affect the San Francisco Bay area since 10,000 gallons of fuel leaked from a ship undergoing repairs in 1996. | The spill is said to be the largest to affect the San Francisco Bay area since 10,000 gallons of fuel leaked from a ship undergoing repairs in 1996. |
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