Oil-stained beaches caused by 1965 shipwreck

In Vlissingen, the municipality has had to enforce a temporary swimming ban, as oil has been leaking out of an old ship wreck since Saturday afternoon, washing up on the beaches in the Westerschelde. It is thought that the oil may come from the wreck of the Spyros Amenakis, a Greek ship transporting cow hides and coal that sank in Zeeland's waters in February 1965. According to the municipality of Vlissingen, the sea water along the coast is being lightly polluted by the oil. The coast guard is keeping an eye on the spread, and when all the oil residue has washed onto the beaches, the swimming ban will be lifted.

Oud scheepswrak lekt olie in Westerschelde http://t.co/XiVStbDuYq pic.twitter.com/PN1iI5qGjG

— Jochem Pluim (@JochemPluim) August 10, 2014

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