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| Galapagos in 'emergency' over stranded petrol tanker | Galapagos in 'emergency' over stranded petrol tanker |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ecuador has declared an emergency in the Galapagos Islands, saying that a petrol tanker which ran aground last week still poses a threat to the archipelago's fragile ecosystem. | Ecuador has declared an emergency in the Galapagos Islands, saying that a petrol tanker which ran aground last week still poses a threat to the archipelago's fragile ecosystem. |
| The ship's cargo has been emptied, but the authorities said pollutants, like motor oil, inside the vessel could spill and cause environmental damage. | The ship's cargo has been emptied, but the authorities said pollutants, like motor oil, inside the vessel could spill and cause environmental damage. |
| They were working to remove the tanker. | They were working to remove the tanker. |
| The Galapagos are home to unique animal species such as the giant tortoise, marine iguana and flightless cormorant. | |
| In 1978, the chain of volcanic islands were declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. | In 1978, the chain of volcanic islands were declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. |
| The Ecuadorean petrol tanker, the Galapaface I, became stranded off the rocky coast of the island of San Cristobal last Friday. | The Ecuadorean petrol tanker, the Galapaface I, became stranded off the rocky coast of the island of San Cristobal last Friday. |
| It was carrying more than 70,000 litres (15,400 gallons) of diesel. | It was carrying more than 70,000 litres (15,400 gallons) of diesel. |
| 'Environmental risk' | 'Environmental risk' |
| The governor of the Galapagos said that, despite having emptied all the fuel, some pollutants remained inside. | The governor of the Galapagos said that, despite having emptied all the fuel, some pollutants remained inside. |
| "The ship is stranded and continues to present an environmental risk for the Galapagos Marine Reserve and must leave the area," Jorge Torres told the Efe news agency. | "The ship is stranded and continues to present an environmental risk for the Galapagos Marine Reserve and must leave the area," Jorge Torres told the Efe news agency. |
| In a statement, the Ecuadorian government said the emergency measure would free up resources to remove the tanker. | In a statement, the Ecuadorian government said the emergency measure would free up resources to remove the tanker. |
| "As a result of the emergency declaration the Risk Management Secretariat will be able to directly carry out the purchase of goods, the procurement of services and the work that are required to overcome this emergency." | "As a result of the emergency declaration the Risk Management Secretariat will be able to directly carry out the purchase of goods, the procurement of services and the work that are required to overcome this emergency." |
| It did not say how long it would take to complete the removal of the vessel. | It did not say how long it would take to complete the removal of the vessel. |
| Darwin's finches | Darwin's finches |
| This is not the first ship accident in the Galapagos. | This is not the first ship accident in the Galapagos. |
| In 2001, another petrol tanker also became stranded off the coast of San Cristobal, spilling fuel and decimating the marine iguana population. | In 2001, another petrol tanker also became stranded off the coast of San Cristobal, spilling fuel and decimating the marine iguana population. |
| The archipelago, about 1,000 kilometres (625 miles) off the South American continent, is a major tourist attraction in Ecuador. | The archipelago, about 1,000 kilometres (625 miles) off the South American continent, is a major tourist attraction in Ecuador. |
| It first became known for its endemic finches, which were studied by the British scientist Charles Darwin in the 1830s. | It first became known for its endemic finches, which were studied by the British scientist Charles Darwin in the 1830s. |