Authorities in Kerala, southern India, have issued a warning after an oil and chemical spill from a sunken cargo ship off the Arabian Sea coast. The Liberian-flagged vessel capsized near Kochi on May 25, releasing hazardous materials into the water.
While all 24 crew members were rescued, some of the ship’s 640 containers have drifted toward shore, triggering evacuations. Officials are concerned the leaked oil, fuel, and chemicals could pose serious risks to local communities and marine ecosystems in this biodiverse and tourist-heavy region.
Incidents like this are not without precedent. History has seen some truly dreadful oil spills over the years, accidents that have had catastrophic consequences for ecosystems on land and at sea.
Click through the following gallery and be reminded of the grim roll-call that is some of the world's worst oil spills.