Oil spotted at Bonaire's East coast, could come from Tobago

27/2/2024 11:51

        The Caribbean island of Bonaire said that oil from a spill near neighboring Tobago had reached its shores, posing a "serious threat to both humans and nature", and that emergency services had been mobilized.
        
        The government said in a statement on Monday, parts of Bonaire's east coast, including Sorobon, Lac and Lagun, have been contaminated with oil and vulnerable mangrove, fish and coral ecosystems are at risk.
        
        Social media posts by residents and a radio station showed pictures of oil-stained sand, reefs and birds at some beaches.
        
        The statement said, "The emergency services are now committed to a rapid and effective cleanup of the oil slicks."
        
        Bonaire, which is reliant on tourism, has not declared a state of emergency but has advised visitors to avoid the polluted locations. There was no immediate information on the size of the slicks that had reached Bonaire's east coast.
        
        Local media quoted officials as saying that protecting the mangrove-rich area of Lac Bay has been made a priority.