Fight to stop chemical spill ruining shellfish 04/09/2006 00:00

4 September 2006

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA — Authorities were trying on Monday to contain a toxic chemical spill which was threatening Galicia's shellfish industry.

A fire at a chemical plant last week led to the spill into the River Umia.

Dams have been dug in to the river path to prevent the spill reaching the coast and decimating the shellfish industry, which is an important part of the local economy.

Fish and plants have already been killed by the chemical spill.

The water supply to about 100,000 people has been cut.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire.

This latest environmental disaster comes after forest fires ravaged at least 86,000 hectares this year.

One man was arrested last week for starting 93 blazes. He is just one of 26 people arrested for arson.

The region was devastated by a vast oil slick caused when the Prestige oil tanker sank in 2002.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news