Oilspill Fears in Iceland

Published at: Aug 18 2021 - 13:03 / Updated at: Aug 18 2021 - 13:03

The old El Grillo shipwreck in Seydisfjordur, Iceland is still leaking oil into the sea and there are now worries that the leaking may worsen as the state of the vessel is deteriorating, according to RUV Iceland.

The ship contains some 10-15 tons of oil.

El Grillo was a British oil tanker that was sunk in an early 1944 air raid and has rested on the seabed since then. It has periodically spilled oil into the fjord ever since.

Locals worry about the impact on plant and animal life, as well as on development in and around the fjord, if the wear and tear on the ship should lead to increased leakages.