In September local time, approximately 3 tons of ultra-low sulfur fuel leaked into the sea from the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC Elsa 3 during refueling operations at Puerto de Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The oil slick rapidly spread across a 2-kilometer-long and 400-meter-wide area, prompting local authorities to close multiple beaches and issue a red alert. Spanish emergency services deployed three patrol boats and an aircraft to contain the spill while using drones to monitor its spread. Preliminary investigations indicate the leak may have resulted from a faulty valve in the fuel transfer pipeline. The vessel’s owner faces fines of up to €214,000.
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