2014 Sundarbans oil spill
The 2014 Sundarbans oil spill was an oil spill that occurred on 9 December 2014 at the Shela River in Sundarbans, Bangladesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spill occurred when an oil-tanker named Southern Star VII, carrying 350,000 litres (77,000 imp gal; 92,000 US gal) of furnace oil, was in collision with a cargo vessel and sank in the river. By 17 December, the oil had spread over a 350 km2 (140 sq mi) area. The oil spread to a second river and a network of canals in Sundarbans, which blackened the shoreline. The spill threatened trees, plankton, and vast populations of small fish and dolphins. The spill occurred at a protected mangrove area, home to rare Irrawaddy and Ganges river dolphins. By 12 January 2015, 70,000 litres (15,000 imp gal; 18,000 US gal) of oil had been cleaned up by local residents, the Bangladesh Navy, and the government of Bangladesh.
| 2014 Sundarbans oil spill | |
|---|---|
Spilled oil on the Shela River | |
| Location | Shela River, Sundarbans, Khulna District, Bangladesh |
| Coordinates | 22°21′51″N 89°40′1″E |
| Date | 9 December 2014 |
| Cause | |
| Cause | Collision between oil tanker and cargo vessel |
| Operator | MS Harun & Co. |
| Spill characteristics | |
| Volume | 350,000 litres (77,000 imp gal; 92,000 US gal) |
| Area | 350 km2 (140 sq mi) |