Fears of UK environmental mess after ship founders

The after-effects of last week’s bad weather are still being felt across Europe. There are growing fears of an environmental disaster off the picturesque southwest coast of the UK. A stream of fuel oil is leaking out of the stricken ship, the MSC Napoli. The slick is already eight kilometres long and 55 metres wide. Pumping of the vessel’s fuel tanks will begin today.

There are also concerns over the ship’s cargo of hazardous chemicals, including perfume, battery acid and car parts. Some 200 of its 2,500 containers have already been swept overboard. Meanwhile, Berlin’s state-of-the-art Central Station has re-opened after being closed twice in recent days. The station, Europe’s biggest rail hub, was closed on Thursday and again on Sunday when gale-force winds dislodged a beam.

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