UNEP-WCMC

During "environmental emergencies", such as major fires or oil spills, UNEP-WCMC is able to provide relevant environmental information rapidly to support the activities of those responsible for coping with the problems that arise. The following are examples of incidents in which UNEP-WCMC was able to provide assistance. Current incidents are also reported on our Latest News pages. You will find up-to-date information on oil spills on the ITOPF's web site.

South Asia Disaster - Tsunami following Earthquake (posted 31 December 2004)

UNEP-WCMC is part of the UNEP crisis task force who are responding to the disaster in Asia following the earthquake and resultant tsunami on 26 December 2004.

Tsunami Imaps

More Information

UNEP Website
UNEP Press Releases

Conflict and the Environment in Iraq (posted 21 March 2003)

In response to the outbreak of war in Iraq, the Centre has gathered together background information about biodiversity and the environment in Iraq, with links to sources of additional information.

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Oil Tanker aground at Keamari (updated 15 August 2003)

MT TASMAN SPIRIT ran aground at Keamari on Sunday 27 July. Officials had said there was no real threat to marine life. The tanker carrying 62,000 tonnes of oil has now broken in two, spilling its load into the sea, endangering fish, crabs and rare turtles.

Further information

Prestige oil tanker, Spain (updated 3 December 2002)

The Prestige was holed near the Port of Vigo, it was then towed further out to sea, where it split in two and sank. Oil has spilt from tanker and come ashore on the Spanish coastline.

Further information

Supertanker explosion near Yemen coast (6 October 2002)

The supertanker Limburg suffered an explosion earlier today and is on fire and leaking oil off the Yemen coast.

Further information

Tanker aground (updated 22 July 2002)

A gas tanker has run aground off the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa.

Further information

Tanker explosion and fire (updated 10 July 2002)

An explosion on the General Shykhlinski at the Caspian port of Turkmenbashi.

Further information

Ship aground off Fiji (updated 5 July 2002)

An oil tanker ran aground off Fiji on 3 July 2002 and has been successfully refloated without loss of oil.