Authorities warn of unmitigated disaster if oil reaches famous coastline
Authorities in the south of France are embarking on a massive clear-up operation as a huge oil slick moves towards the famous beaches of the Riviera.
With just two weeks before the French tourist season really gets under way, there are real concerns that thousands of businesses on the south coast could be affected by the 50-square-mile slick, which is advancing towards the exclusive resort of Cannes.
Latest reports suggest the slick is now near the Ile de Lerins, about three miles from the resort, and the Cannes Chamber of Commerce has called for maritime organisations along the Riviera to help deal with the oil. A report in today’s Daily Mail says the source of the slick has not yet been found, and there are no obvious links with a similar slick several weeks ago, which threatened the resorts of Menton and Monaco.
A tourism spokesman told the newspaper: “If this oil reached the shore it would be an unmitigated disaster. Entire towns along the coast depend on tourism and most traders make three-quarters of their annual profit in the two summer months alone. We have appealed to the authorities to do everything in their power to disperse it.”
