While Spain alternates in blaming whomever they deem responsible for the environmental disaster the sinking of the Prestige has caused, Portugal is bracing itself for an unprecedented economic and ecological disaster.
Hundreds of fishermen have already been rendered unemployed by the tanker’s sinking, while teams are prepared as far south as Aveiro to prevent the widespread damage the 77,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil can cause to a country’s coastline.
Hundreds of fishermen have already been rendered unemployed by the tanker’s sinking, while teams are prepared as far south as Aveiro to prevent the widespread damage the 77,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil can cause to a country’s coastline.
An extraordinary parliamentary debate, called by the opposition and held on Thursday, was intended to force the Portuguese government to officially lay the blame for the disaster squarely on Spain. Franisco Louçã (Left Bloc) called on Portugal to demand compensation from Spain, with other opposition parties sharing a similar stance.
But Minister of Defense, Paulo Portas, limited his response to explain that Portugal had no responsibility in the disaster, confirming only that the country had refused the Prestige entry into its waters.
But Minister of Defense, Paulo Portas, limited his response to explain that Portugal had no responsibility in the disaster, confirming only that the country had refused the Prestige entry into its waters.
Portuguese oil company Galp, on Thursday confirmed it had refused an offer from the Prestige to purchase its fuel oil in October. In an official statement, the company explained it had refused the cargo, not due to its quality, but rather due to the potential and imminent risks this outdated ship, built in 1976, would pose to Portugal and to all the countries’ coastlines it would pass prior to reaching its destination. Unconfirmed reports on both Spanish and Portuguese television claimed the Prestige was en route to Gibraltar.