Gran Canaria oil spill: what happenned?
An oil spill near Gran Canaria has led to significant disruptions, forcing the closure of several beaches and prompting a state of environmental emergency. This Gran Canaria oil spill occurred during a refueling operation at La Luz port in Las Palmas, involving up to 3 metric tons of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (IFO 180). The slick, stretching 2 kilometers in length and 400 meters in width, was carried southward by winds, posing a threat to the neighboring municipality of Telde.
The affected beaches include La Restinga, Palos, San Borondón, and El Baranquillo, all of which have been closed to the public. Emergency services have mobilized helicopters, drones, and rescue boats to manage the situation and mitigate the impact. Telde’s mayor, Juan Antonio Peña, expressed strong concern over the spill, highlighting that such incidents are preventable and promising to hold those responsible accountable.
AKHISAR and SPABUNKER TREINTA involved in the oil slick
The spill originated from the container ship AKHISAR and the bunkering tanker SPABUNKER TREINTA. Authorities have elevated the emergency response to level two, with around 70 workers engaged in cleanup operations despite challenging weather and sea conditions. Gran Canaria’s Environmental Minister, Raúl García Brink, assured that all necessary resources would be deployed to address the situation as quickly as possible.
The AKHISAR departed from Las Palmas on September 7 after posting a €340,000 bond. The beaches in Telde remain closed for ongoing cleanup efforts, with hopes that they will be reopened to the public soon.
