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California investigates nine-mile oil slick California investigates nine-mile oil slick
(33 minutes later)
Clean-up crews are working around the clock as investigators look into how tens of thousands of gallons of oil spewed into the sea off California. Clean-up crews are working around the clock as investigators look into how tens of thousands of gallons of oil spewed into the sea off Santa Barbara.
More than 6,000 gallons (22,700 litres) of oil have been mopped from the beach - a fraction of the 20,000 gallons officials say spilled into the sea after a pipe burst on Tuesday.More than 6,000 gallons (22,700 litres) of oil have been mopped from the beach - a fraction of the 20,000 gallons officials say spilled into the sea after a pipe burst on Tuesday.
Federal officials are to excavate the pipe to find clues to how it ruptured.Federal officials are to excavate the pipe to find clues to how it ruptured.
The company responsible for the pipeline has publicly apologised.The company responsible for the pipeline has publicly apologised.
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to help the state "quickly mobilise all available resources".California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to help the state "quickly mobilise all available resources".
"We will do everything necessary to protect California's coastline," he added."We will do everything necessary to protect California's coastline," he added.
State and local prosecutors are investigating the incident to see if criminal charges could be brought or if there are grounds for civil liability.State and local prosecutors are investigating the incident to see if criminal charges could be brought or if there are grounds for civil liability.
It is estimated about 21,000 gallons of oil have reached the ocean, forming a nine-mile (15km) slick. and it remains unclear how long the clean-up process will take or what it will cost.It is estimated about 21,000 gallons of oil have reached the ocean, forming a nine-mile (15km) slick. and it remains unclear how long the clean-up process will take or what it will cost.
"We deeply, deeply regret that this incident has occurred at all," Plains All American Pipeline LP Chairman and CEO Greg Armstrong said, apologising."We deeply, deeply regret that this incident has occurred at all," Plains All American Pipeline LP Chairman and CEO Greg Armstrong said, apologising.
Mr Armstrong vowed that his company "will remain here until everything has been restored to normal."Mr Armstrong vowed that his company "will remain here until everything has been restored to normal."
Emergency workers have been fanning out across Refugio State Beach to remove oil that is stuck to sand and rocks.Emergency workers have been fanning out across Refugio State Beach to remove oil that is stuck to sand and rocks.
The pipe was built in 1991 and had been tested a few weeks ago, company officials said. The 24-inch pipe was built in 1991 and had been tested a few weeks ago, company officials said.
The 24-inch pipe had no previous problems, according to the company. Environmentalists are concerned that the oil may harm wildlife including birds and whales, with seals, sea lions and whales also migrating north through the area.
Environmentalists are concerned that the oil may harm wildlife including birds and whales. Biologists have been spotted counting dead fish and other animals on the beach.
Seals, sea lions and whales are in the process of migrating north through the area.
"It smells like what they use to pave the roads," tourist Fan Yang told the Associated Press news agency. "I'm sad for the birds, if they lose their habitat.""It smells like what they use to pave the roads," tourist Fan Yang told the Associated Press news agency. "I'm sad for the birds, if they lose their habitat."
The spill happened on the same stretch of beach as a 1969 spill - one that is credited with starting the American environmental movement.The spill happened on the same stretch of beach as a 1969 spill - one that is credited with starting the American environmental movement.
In that incident, several hundred thousand gallons spewed from a blowout on an oil platform, ultimately resulting in the death of thousands of seabirds and many marine mammals. In that incident, several hundred thousand gallons spewed from a blowout on an oil platform, resulting in the death of thousands of seabirds and marine mammals.
The alarm was first raised on Tuesday when authorities received reports of a foul smell near Refugio State Beach around midday (04:00 GMT).The alarm was first raised on Tuesday when authorities received reports of a foul smell near Refugio State Beach around midday (04:00 GMT).
Emergency responders found a half-mile slick in the ocean, Santa Barbara County Fire Captain Dave Zaniboni said. Emergency responders found a half-mile slick in the ocean and traced the origin to a ruptured onshore pipeline spewing oil into a rainwater drain which ran to the ocean.
They traced the oil to a ruptured onshore pipeline that was spewing oil into a rain water drain which ran to the ocean. The pipeline was shut off about three hours later. The pipeline was shut off about three hours later.
Tourists driving the scenic Pacific Coast Highway have been drawn to the bluffs that overlook the area.Tourists driving the scenic Pacific Coast Highway have been drawn to the bluffs that overlook the area.
The soiled beaches and putrid smell have forced government officials to close Refugio State Beach and nearby El Capitan State Beach over the coming Memorial Day weekend - a major holiday in the United States.The soiled beaches and putrid smell have forced government officials to close Refugio State Beach and nearby El Capitan State Beach over the coming Memorial Day weekend - a major holiday in the United States.