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Spain says France in path of oil
MADRID, Spain -- The holidays have brought little festive cheer to communities on the coast of south-west Europe, where it is feared that high winds will drive a massive oil slick onto land. The worst environmental disaster in Spanish history is now threatening France as oil covering an area the size of New York City moves north. The oil has been leaking from the tanker Prestige since it sank off Spain's north west coast on November 17. Since then a tide of foul-smelling sludge has washed up along beaches of Galicia and caused an ecological disaster on Spain's richest fishing grounds. But worsening weather on Tuesday threatened to push the slick toward French waters, meaning France and Spain may soon have to fight the disaster together. Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told a news conference: "Right now the most important concentration is approaching the French (shipping) salvage zone which means that in a short time there is a chance we will have to work together to fight against the oil that it still in the sea." Rajoy said the main group of oil slicks was between 53 and 61 nautical miles (98 and 112 kilometres) off Cape Ortegal in the north-west corner of Spain. Weather forecasts predict the black tide will continue to move up toward the northwest and into French waters, he said.
Meanwhile, the operation to plug the leaks to the Prestige is continuing, but has been hampered by the weather. A research submarine has managed to plug some of the holes in the sunken vessel. The Nautile mini-sub, which is best known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic, is bunging the holes with metal bells. The operation is expected to last until January 20. "Finding a definitive solution to the situation with the ship is of utmost importance because it is without a doubt a Sword of Damocles dangling above our heads," Rajoy said. "But I have the firm conviction that the scientific committee (formed to study the problem) is working well and will come up with a solution to avoid a worse situation in the future."
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